EN

2006 Lexus RX400h 4-DR w/SAB

6
Recalls
166
Complaints

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Complaints
Recalls

166 Complaints

for 2006 LEXUS RX400H
11/09/2021
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/31/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

Engine dies out as per recall but already did recall and still has same problem and code coming. Out took to Lexus Dealer to check they came out to be battery cooling fans being defective. Got estimates and was crazy amount told them don't repair suv. After talking to Dealer they state the fans has nothing to do with recall and warranty is over.

10/01/2021
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
Incident Date: 09/29/2021
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2HA31U36C******
Summary

My car exploded- huge fire. I was not driving- it had been parked. The fire marshal indicated that it was an electrical problem located near the battery. There we no indicators of any issues. I only had liability on the car- so i am out of luck. but the NYFD inspected. It happened on Wednesday 9/29/21. Was inspected on 9/30.

11/17/2020
Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U460******
Summary

CAR DIES AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. WE'VE SPENT OVER $3K FIXING FUEL PUMP, BATTERIES, AND OTHERS. FROM WHAT I'M READING IT SOUNDS LIKE MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THE INVERTER RECALL LIST, BUT IT'S NOT.

08/05/2020
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/22/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM - INVERTER FAILURE HOW DO WE GET OUR VIN ON THE RECALL LIST? OUR REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED. OUR ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED BY THE VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THE HYBRID PROPULSION RECALL (2005-2008) AND OUR 2006 VEHICLE IS A YEAR WHICH IS COVERED MY WIFE WAS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF FAILING AND HAS A KNOWN RECALL A VEHICLE WHICH HAD NO ISSUES, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, TURNED INTO A DANGEROUS VEHICLE LOSING POWER ON THE TURNPIKE, BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND IS NOW INOPERABLE AND WORTHLESS, IS UNACCEPTABLE IF TOYOTA AND LEXUS ARE REPUTABLE COMPANIES AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I WOULD HOPE THEY STAND UP AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN OBVIOUS FAULTY HYBRID SYSTEM

06/23/2020
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U960******
Summary

FOUND OUT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR IS FAILING AND TOLD FROM TOYOTA THEY HAVE RECALLS ON THE ACTUATOR FOR HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND PRIUS HYBRID. LEXUS STATED THEY DO NOT RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE. FEELS UNSAFE WHEN BRAKING AS IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND GRINDS A BIT. I'VE READ FORUMS ON OTHER SAME YEAR AND MAKES CAUSING THEM TO CRASH. LOUD CHIRPING ON IDLE BRAKING AND WHEN BRAKING HARDER AND SOMETIMES SKIPPING. *TR

01/22/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
Incident Date: 01/15/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U462******
Summary

THE HEAT CONTROL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABRUPTLY BEGAN TO STAY ON LAST WEEK. I BELIEVE I NOW SMELL A CHEMICAL ODOR ISSUING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR.

01/05/2020
Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/04/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT DECELERATED RAPIDLY. HYBRID SYSTEM VSC FAILURE ALERT LIGHT ON. VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER!

12/05/2019
Components: AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 10/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

I BOUGHT A LEXUS RX400H BACK IN 2013-2014 AND RECENTLY MY CAR EXPERIENCE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO TAKE MY SON TO HIS FOOTBALL GAME MY ABS SYSTEM COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON ME ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. I RECENTLY WENT TO LEXUS TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY ACTUATOR. I ASK LEXUS ABOUT A RECALL I WAS INFORMED OF BACK IN 2016-2017 FOR ACTUATOR AND THEY STATED IT NEVER WAS A RECALLED. SINCE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED AND ONLY HEARD ABOUT IT FROM ANOTHER LEXUS MECHANIC I ASK HIM FOR DOCUMENTS AND HE TRIED TO THROW AWAY THE PAPER THAT SHOWED MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE ACTUATOR, MELTING DASH BOARD AND ECONOMIC LOSS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I NEED HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT I CAN DO TO GET LEXUS TO HONOR THE SAFETY RECALLS ON MY CAR.

11/29/2019
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 06/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND VIBRATED WHILE BEING DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE 30 MPH TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE (1221 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (818) 507-1300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1911142372. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

10/27/2019
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 10/26/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U760******
Summary

CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING.

07/19/2019
Components: ENGINE,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/03/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, OR MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, HYBRID CHECK, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TREASURE COAST LEXUS (LOCATED AT 5121 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 460-0000) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CLEARED THE FAILURE CODES, AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE IN CHECK MODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE DEALER SWAPPED THE CIRCUIT OPEN RELAY WITH THE IGNITION RELAY TO ELIMINATE THE RELAY AS THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

07/06/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/05/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING A HYBRID SYSTEM CHECK MESSAGE, AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN DRIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL CAPABILITIES TO PROPERLY FUNCTION. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE DOWNHILL IN TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER. MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN REGULARLY, AS I JUST PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP THAT HAD BEEN SITTING ON IT FOR SOME TIME. THE CARFAX CHECK OUT FOR THE VEHICLE, SO IT COULD BE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INVERTER.

03/24/2019
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 01/09/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

THE LEATHER ON THE DASHBOARD BREAKS OFF IN PIECES. CAN'T ATTACH ANYTHING TO IT, SUCH AS CELL PHONE HOLDER. LEATHER ON DASHBOARD JUST TEARS RIGHT OFF.

02/09/2019
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/02/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U160******
Summary

MY 2006 LEXUS RX400H THAT I JUST PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER (ONE OWNER PRIOR) HAS SHUT DOWN GOING DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN. TAKING MY BOYS TO SCHOOL IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS WE COASTED DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN, AND THE BRAKES JUST STOPPED WORKING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO MY NEIGHBORS' DRIVEWAY AND BARELY ABLE TO USE MY BRAKES. THEY DIDN'T WORK WHEN THE HYBRID LIGHT CAME ON. EXTREMELY SCARY! IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES PRIOR TO THIS IN THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN PREVIOUSLY. IT'S NOW A BRICK WITH A DASHBOARD OF LIGHTS! I AM BEING TOLD BY LEXUS THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INVERTER RECALL AND IN FACT, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY ALREADY REPLACED IT PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP A FEW MONTHS BACK, REPLACED IN 2012, LATER TO FIND OUT THAT WAS NOT TRUE. I HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM THE FIRST OWNER. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME ABOUT 500 FEET DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN, BACK UP TO OUR HOME ABOUT 500' BACK UP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS EITHER NOT RECALLED OR NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANICS WHEN THEY OPEN. SOME PHOTOS OF MY DASH, ANY SUGGESTIONS? LEXUS NEEDS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE! THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. I CAN'T IMAGINE HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT LEXUS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. PLEASE REOPEN THIS CASE AND INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER IN THIS RECALL.

01/12/2019
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 12/30/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U260******
Summary

TAKATA RECALL ABS, VSC, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. FOUND BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILING NEEDS TO REPLACE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DOWN.

11/19/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/18/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U260******
Summary

CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED FOLLOWING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.

08/01/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/31/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED, POWER INVERTER, LOCKING UP POWER STEERING AND MY CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO OPERATE ON THE ROAD. I WAS QUOTED 7500$ COST. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS OCCURRING. I WOULD LIKE HELP REPAIRING FROM LEXUS

06/21/2018
Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 06/21/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

2006 LEXUS RX400H TOTALLY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I4 TODAY. NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, ENGINE DIED AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE PLACE FROM 70MPH! RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE MISFIRED, THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON INCLUDING THE CHECK VCS, CHECK HYBRID AND CHECK ANTI-LOCK. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. CODES THAT IT THREW SAID IT WAS A HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM REGENERATIVE MALFUNCTION AND A BAD ENGINE COIL. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH IT SHUTTING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL WHAT SO EVER! THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN THIS CAR AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED THE WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN OCTOBER 2017.

06/14/2018
Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 06/12/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U760******
Summary

AS I WAS DRIVING, WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES I COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE AND DID NOT FEEL ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I GOT SCARED AND SLOWED DOWN MY SPEED. IT TURNED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY SERVICE SHOP, THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH AIR/PRESSURE WHEN I BRAKE AT A LOW SPEEDS (IT'S WORN OUT), PLUS THE CV AXLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS LEAKING. MY POINT IS, IT COSTS ME OVER $3,000 DLLS TO REPAIR WITH ONLY 1 YEAR LABOR/PARTS WARRANTY; I READ THAT BRAKE ACTUATORS FOR 2006, 2007. & 2008 RX400H LEXUS AND TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MODELS CAME OUT DEFECTIVE, THAT ONCE THEY GET REPLACED, THEY WILL FAIL AGAIN MOST LIKELY WITHIN A YEAR AND LEXUS HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT, PRETENDING THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, ALLOWING US TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLES LIKE THAT WHILE HAVING OUR LIVES AT RISK. I AL SO READ THAT MECHANICS WORKING FOR LEXUS COMPANIES HAVE STATED THAT LEXUS SPENDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON BRAKE ACTUATORS ALONE BECAUSE THEY GET REPLACED TOO OFTEN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND IF POSSIBLE FORCE TOYOTA/LEXUS TO DO A MASSIVE RECALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY NOR CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THIS MUCH MONEY TO REPAIR IT. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS TOWARDS THE COST OF THE VEHICLE, OVER $15,000 ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND I DO NOT THINK THIS IS FAIR. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER, LIVE IN A SMALL CITY, AND DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH.

06/09/2018
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U362******
Summary

THIS WAS OUR FIRST HYBRID VEHICLE. WE WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE WEIRD NOISES AND THE PARTICULARSBIN THE WAY THE VEHICLE OPERATES. THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WAS WITH THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO LEXUS A FEW TIMES FOR OIL CHANGES, A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER CONVERTER AND ANOTHER ISSUE OVER THE LAST 6 PLUS YEARS I ALWAYS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PULSING OF THE BRAKES AND THE BARKING AND OTHER NOISES COMING FROM THE CAR. THIS LAST MONTH OR SO A WARNING LIGHT FOR ABS AND ANOTHER WARNING HAD COME UP. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE REAR BRAKES DONE AND CALLED THE LOCAL BRAKE SHOP . THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACED. ERROR CODE C1256 AND C1391. I DECIDED TO LOOK UP THESE CODES AND MY LEXUS MODEL AND FOUND MANY. MANY MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS OR SO. MOST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LEXUS ADVISING OF A"WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED THIS OR ANY RECALL LETTER FOR MY LEXUS. THE PEOPLE ON THESE LEXUSCLUB BOARDS ALL HAD THIS ISSUE. MANY OF THEM DID NOT HAVE THE "WARNING LIGHT" COME ON AND WERE DENIED A REPAIR. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE ISSUE AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON A MONTH OR SO AGO AND I FIND THAT THIS IS A HUGH SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT'S WITH THE BREAKING SYSTEM. LEXUS IS AWARE OF IT AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 12/31/2017. WELL EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED AND ITHE REPAIR IS ABOUT $2500-$3000 . TODAY WE CALLED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATE IT'S OUR FAULT FOR NOT BRINGING IT IN ON TIME THEY SAID THEY DID THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND SENT THEM. WELL I HAVE NEVER ONCE RECEIVED ANY RECALL IT WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE. I HAVE LIVED HERE 23 YEARS AND OWNED THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 6 YEARS. LEXUS CALLS THIS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT"DEALERS CALL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL .BUT TO AVOID THE RECALL STIGMA THEY ISSUE AN ENHANCEMENT

05/26/2018
Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/10/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD IN MA THE CAR ABRUPTLY STALLED AND LOST POWER AND ABILITY TO CONTROL IT OTHER THAN WITH A GLIDE AND MANUAL STEERING TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND OUT OF BUSY TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY FOR BOTH OUR SON AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND HIM. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED US THAT THE DASHBOARD SENSORS WERE INDICATING A FAULTY OIL PUMP AND POSSIBLY A FAILED INVERTER. "THEY HAD NO WAY OF DETERMINING IF THE INVERTER WAS FAULTY WITHOUT FIRST REPAIRING THE OIL PUMP FOR $1200." UPON REPAIRING THE OIL PUMP, WE LEARNED THE INVERTER ($8000 REPAIR) WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPAIR. THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN THIS AND HAD "NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF SUCH A THING." FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON OUR PART, SHOWED THAT OVER 235,000 2006 AND BEYOND TOYOTA HYBRID VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A FAULTY INVERTER IN 2013. WHILE OUR VEHICLE VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE RECALL LIST, WE BELIEVE WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LEXUS CORPORATE IS DENYING ANY PART IN THIS AND REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 109,000 MILES AND QUICKLY CLOSED THE CASE. OUR CONCERN IS THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND THAT IT COULD BE DEADLY FOR OPERATORS AND DRIVERS. IF THE INVERTER WAS IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY ALREADY ON OVER 235,000 VEHICLES, AN EXPANDED SEARCH ON ADDITIONAL VINS NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE. LEXUS WAS VERY COMFORTABLE IN CONFIRMING THAT THEY DID NOT AND WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES BEYOND 100,000 MILES, AND ESSENTIALLY, IT WAS GOOD THAT OUR SON DID NOT GET INJURED, AND SORRY OUR CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY TOTALLED (VALUE OF VEHICLE IS APPROX $9000 BASED ON KELLY BLUE BOOK) FOR THE FAULTY INVERTER WHICH WAS NOT IDENTIFIED ON THE RECALL.

05/04/2018
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 03/12/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U460******
Summary

MAY 1, 2018 LEXUS HEADQUARTERS US 19001 S WESTERN AVE TORRANCE, CA 90501 ATTN: CUSTOMER SERVICE I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 RX400H I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED HAS AN ABNORMAL LEAK IN THE BRAKE ACTUATOR DESIGNATED C1391 ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THIS HAS RENDERED THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM INOPERABLE. FURTHER, I AM DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN LEXUS IS UNWILLING TO REPAIR THE CAR UNDER A WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY THE COMPANY. MY VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE 10 YEAR WINDOW ESTABLISHED BY LEXUS FOR THIS PROGRAM, YET UNDER THE 150,000 MILEAGE LIMIT. THROUGH ON-LINE RESEARCH I LEARNED LEXUS HAS BEEN AWARE OF VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKE ACTUATORS FOR OVER A DECADE. YET, THE COMPANY FAILED TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED ME TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION WITHIN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION TIME PERIOD. I AM DISHEARTENED TO LEARN LEXUS WOULD ALLOW AN OWNER TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A LATENT SAFETY DEFECT. AND, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY LEXUS WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE QUALITY BRAND IT HAS WORKED SO DILIGENTLY TO ESTABLISH. UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, HONDA HONORED AN EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY ON MY CAR, TOTALLY UNRELATED TO SAFETY. THE COMPANY REPLACED A FAULTY AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, WARRANTED FOR 80,000 MILES, ON A CAR WITH 85,000 MILES WITHOUT CHARGE. HONDA SUPPORTS CUSTOMERS WITH ACTION, NOT JUST WORDS. IN MY OPINION, THEY DELIVERED ON A COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED NO LESS FROM LEXUS. I URGE LEXUS TO RECONSIDER THE COMPANY'S DECISION TO NOT REPAIR A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT ON MY VEHICLE THAT COMPROMISES MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER.

04/11/2018
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 04/02/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VIN ONLINE AT NHTSA.GOV, BUT FOUND NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN RECURRING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

04/11/2018
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 04/02/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VIN ONLINE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS CONCERNING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING RANDOMLY FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

04/07/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/07/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U762******
Summary

THE HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT TURNED ON. NEXT WERE THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON, THEN THE WAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS ABLE TO STEERED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS ON THE STREET ROAD. I CHECKED FOR THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE VIN, BUT NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THERE WERE 6 RECALLS TOTAL. ONE OF THE RECALL RELATED TO THE INVERTER COOLANT. IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ONCE AT AROUND 120K AND NOW 135,828 MILES.MY VIN IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

04/04/2018
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/03/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING WITH NO POWER TO CONTROL OR NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

02/27/2018
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 02/17/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U262******
Summary

AFTER THE VEHICLE BEEN WORKING PERFECTLY, AFTER OVERNIGHT THE VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MAL FUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, MASTER WARNING LIGHT, AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM MESSAGE SHOWED UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, THE BREAKS WENT IN BLANK, CONTINUING RUNNING EVEN WITH THE BREAK PEDAL PRESSED. THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPED WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAKS. AFTER GET THE VEHICLE CHECKED AT MY NEAREST LEXUS DEALER, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATE THAN THE ISSUE HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE ACTUATOR AND THE BREAK MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH WOULD COST $4,595 PLUS TAX.

02/26/2018
Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 08/23/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

THE VEHICLE DASH HAS DEVELOPED PREMATURE CRACKS, AND IS SHINING AND STICKY. LEXUS CLAIMS THIS IS ONLY A COSMETIC ISSUE HOWEVER THE DASH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE AND WITH THE DASH DETERIORATING THE FOAM PADDING IS HARDING CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE IN EVENT OF CRASH. LEXUS HAS ADMITTED TO THE ISSUE HOWEVER HAS ONLY OFFER REPAIRS TO A LIMITED ARBITRUARY NUMBER OF OWNERS WHILE ARBITRUARILY EXCLUDING OTHER OWNERS. THERE SHOULD BE A MANATORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

01/10/2018
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/15/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U760******
Summary

DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN 2017 AND AM TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL. CONTACTED LEXUS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAS ENDED. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF RECALL. LEXUS IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL.

11/27/2017
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/26/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

YEARS AGO, I BEGAN TO HAVE A SERIES OF BATTERY FAILURES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EACH TIME, LEXUS JUST TOLD ME IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY, AND REPLACED IT (PRO RATA, NOT FREE TO ME). I GRADUALLY BECAME AWARE THAT THESE FAILURES WERE BEING ACCOMPANIED BY A MESSAGE TO "SHIFT TO P WHEN TURNING OFF IGNITION," WHICH I ALWAYS DO. I SUSPECTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOMEHOW SENSING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEVEL AND WAS WRONGLY ENGAGING SOME SORT OF STABILITY SYSTEM, DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE CURRENT EPISODE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A "VSC" ERROR MESSAGE, WHICH IS INDEED A STABILITY SYSTEM. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ONLINE AS HAVING KILLED THEIR VEHICLES WHILE THEY ARE IN MOTION. I AM FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME...YET. HOWEVER, I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND AM TOLD THIS WILL COST OVER $8000 TO FIX. I THEREFORE WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS--LEXUS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CLEAR FLAW IN THEIR MANUFACTURING!

08/25/2017
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 08/24/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U662******
Summary

BRAKE ACTUATOR OVERWORKING,BRAKES CHIRP WHEN PEDAL COMPRESSES,ALL DASH WARNING LIGHT ON. "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" - ABS,BRAKE,TRACTION CONTROL,RED CAUTION LIGHT. REGENERATIVE BRAKING NOT WORKING.

05/16/2017
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/16/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT-OFF. LOST ALL POWER AND "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. NOTIFIED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL LEXUS DEALER WHO CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RETURNED IT TO ME. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN A WEEK LATER WITH SAME RESULTS. LEXUS CONTINUES TO SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE NOR CAN THEY FIND ANY RECALLS. BUT CAR CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

01/24/2017
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/23/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U660******
Summary

VEHICLE APPEARED TO ENTER "FAIL-SAFE" MODE WITH REDUCED POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY LOST ALL POWER WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, AND POWER-STEERING ALSO FAILED. WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM," "CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT," "SLIP INDICATOR," AND PERHAPS OTHERS. AFTER TURNING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON AT RED LIGHT, THERE SUFFICIENT POWER TO DRIVE VEHICLE AGAIN, THOUGH "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT" REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A COUPLE HOURS LATER, AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE, WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ON AND VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN NORMALLY. THE CONDITION APPEARS SIMILAR TO ISSUE IN TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL 13V-396. HOWEVER, OUR VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT IN THE RANGE OF THAT RECALL. WE HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED LEXUS DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

11/27/2016
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 11/27/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JRJHW31U760******
Summary

THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE CHIRP-TYPE NOISE WHEN I APPLY PRESSURE, USUALLY IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM STOPPED AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. HOLDING MY FOOT STEADY ON THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE FINE; THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE ACTUATOR AND WAS A KNOWN LEXUS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A NOTICE FROM LEXUS STATING IT IS A PROBLEM.

11/15/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/15/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 6/11/2016 WITH 125, 812 MILES. I AM NOW AT 140, 949 AND TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR MY VSC MAINT LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACK STABILIZER LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER IN REGARDS TO CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V396000 AS THIS RECALL IDENTIFICATION IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT HAPPENED TODAY. THIS BEING MY ONLY VEHICLE WHICH CARRIES MYSELF AND MY CHILD THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT ALL OF THESE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. IF THIS CAR WAS REPAIRED IT IS OBVIOUS IT WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY, IF AT ALL. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ME CLOSE TO WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR ITSELF! I WOULD LIKE DOCUMENTATION THAT MY VEHICLE HAS IN FACT BEEN REPAIRED AS I AM BETTER OFF BUYING A DIFFERENT CAR AND JUNKING THIS ONE THAN PAYING TO REPAIR IT.

11/01/2016
Components: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/01/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

CRACKED DASHBOARD ISSUE (AS PER THE SO-CALLED WARRANTY ISSUE PER CSC-10057809-9406). 10-MONTHS AGO I WAS PROMISED PARTS BY LEXUS OF MONTEREY, CA, AND, I'VE SINCE CONTACTED THEM FIVE OR MORE TIMES...NO PARTS ARE FORTHCOMING. THE LEXUS REGIONAL MANAGER OFFERS NO HELP. WHAT CAN I DO?

09/10/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/07/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

THE CAR (2006 RX400H) BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

08/16/2016
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/11/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS ON THE HIGHWAY, PULLING A SMALL POPUP CAMPER, THE VEHICLE DIED AT THE CAMPGROUND. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS USED PRIUS INVERTERS ON 2006 HYLANDER AND RX440H VEHICLES AND THEY OVERHEAT AND FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MEANT FOR A SMALLER VEHICLE AND HAVE INADEQUATE SOLDER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR INVERTERS ON 2006, BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT SHOWING UP AS QUALIFYING. THE INADEQUATE INVERTERS WERE INSTALLED ON RX400H MODELS WITH VIN NUMBERS ENDING IN 60036526 AND LOWER. MY VIN NUMBER ENDS 60029638-- SO AN INADEQUATE INVERTER WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA/LEXUS NEEDS TO ADD MY VIN NUMBER TO THE RECALL GROUP, BUT THEY ARE HESITANT BECAUSE OF THE EXHORBITANT COST OF THE INVERTER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE OVERHEATED INVERTER CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A FAIL/SAFE- LIMP HOME MODE SUDDENLY AND THE VEHICLE CAN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, WITH HIGH RISK OF A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH

08/13/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/12/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A RURAL ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, THE "PS" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AND I HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. I PULED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I RESTARTED THE IGNITION AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED. I DROVE HOME.

07/05/2016
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/04/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY DISPLAY STARTED READING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" SIMULTANEOUSLY. I SEARCHED AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE (INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE) FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OF MY EXACT MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE REGULAR 12 VOLT CAR BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE SO THEY REPLACED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR TESTED NORMAL FOR SEVERAL DAYS HOWEVER WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN.

06/07/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/05/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES, POWER STEERING, AND THE WINDOWS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

05/29/2016
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/28/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I BOUGHT IT ON MAY 2015 FROM A DEALERSHIP, IT HAS NOW 150,000 MILES ON IT, RECENTLY I SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK THE CODE, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS THE SENSOR COOLANT SYSTEM THAT MUST BE REPLACED, I TOOK IT A MECHANIC SHOP TO DO IT AND THAT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC DID A SECOND CHECK, HE FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR IS CRACK,AND THAT WILL COST ME $600 AND I STILL A LOAN BALANCE FOR 12000 ON IT

03/28/2016
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/09/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U860******
Summary

AIR BAG LIGHT "SRS" INDICATOR ON DASH REMAINS ON DURING TRAVEL. THIS CONDITION IS SAID TO DISABLE THE ENTIRE RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND CORPORATE LEXUS ABOUT THE ISSUE. BOTH HAVE ANNOUNCED, SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, ITS OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT ISSUE. THERE IS A TSB# 1-SB-0167-08 ON THIS ISSUE WHEN THE CODE RETURNS CODE B1861.

02/29/2016
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 11/19/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

I HAVE ABS VSC AND SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS ON ON THE DASH. THE RESPONSE FROM LEXUS IS I NEED A NEW ABS ACCUMULATOR ASSEMBLY. COSTS IS IN THE THOUSANDS. THE SIMILAR MODEL DESIGN PUMP WAS USED IN THE 2007-2011 CAMRY. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THAT PUMP. WHY HAS THE RX400H AND THE HIGHLANDER NOT RECEIVED THIS EXTENSION!

02/29/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/10/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

ALL SERVICE LIGHTS ARE ON, ABS VSC, AND INFO DISPLAY STATES SOME SORT OF VSC MALFUNCTION.

02/10/2016
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/10/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

A FEW YEARS AGO THERE WERE 2 EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL AND WITHOUT ANY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS STOPPED WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. NO SIMILAR PROBLEM SINCE THEN UNTIL 4-6 WEEKS AGO WHEN 4 EXACTLY SIMILAR EPISODES OCCURRED, THE LATEST HAPPENING TODAY. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF MY WIFE OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD CRASH. LEXUS OF SEATTLE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO DURING ROUTINE SERVICE VISIT, AND AGAIN TODAY. MY WIFE IS TAKING IT BACK AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT THEY ONCE AGAIN LIKELY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPEAT THE EVENT OR TO SOLVE IT. HELP!!!

04/10/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/14/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT, A WARNING SOUND WENT OFF, FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND REFUSING TO TURN ON AGAIN. THE "HYBRID BATTERY FAILURE" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON, AND WE WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN. WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, WHERE WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE MUST HAVE LEFT THE WINDOWS OPEN - NOT THE CASE, SINCE IT WAS STILL TOWARDS THE END OF A COLD WINTER. THE WINDOWS AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, THROUGH SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE OCCURS IN THESE VEHICLES AFTER A COLD AND WET PERIOD; CERTAIN SEAMS WILL COME APART, THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WILL FLOOD WITH WATER OVER TIME, AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHORT OUT TO THE TUNE OF 5+ THOUSAND DOLLARS. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND NOT DUE TO NEGLECT OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE BY THE CONSUMER, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

03/23/2015
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

2006 LEXUS RX 400H. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYSTEM INVERTER, INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 9, 2009 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO ANY ACCELERATION AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF A NEARBY OFF RAMP. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WA A SHORT IN THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY. *JB

03/08/2015
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/22/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I BUMPED A TREE WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR. THE IMPACT WAS SLIGHT, ESTIMATED SPEED WAS 5MPH AS THE DRIVEWAY WAS ICY. THE WHEELS WERE NOT TURNED MUCH AS THAT PORTION OF THE DRIVEWAY IS STRAIGHT. AFTER THE IMPACT, I FOUND THAT THE WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE "P/S FAIL" LIGHT WAS LIT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER EXAMINING THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS A PAINT CHIP ON THE MIRROR. THERE WERE NO FLUID LEAKS. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN NOV. 2011 (LEXUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN 9LC) FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE DUE TO OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR SUDDEN AND UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED MY CLAIM FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE EXPERTS THEY CONSULTED SAID THIS TYPE OF IMPACT COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE WRITTEN LEXUS DESCRIBING THE ISSUE AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. HAD THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER HITTING ONE OF THE NUMEROUS POTHOLES ON THE HIGHWAYS, INSTEAD OF IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE CONSEQUENCES TO MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE. *TR

03/06/2015
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 02/25/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON I-70, ELEVATED SECTION DOWN TOWN DENVER, VEHICLE LOST POWER, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK ENGINE, ANTISKID, AND SEVERAL OTHERS. VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AFTER DIFFICULTY GETTING TO THE SAFETY LANE NEARLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER THE RECALL WHERE THE IPM MODULE WAS REPLACED. TOWED TO DEALER BUT AFTER 3 DAYS OF TESTS DEALER REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. SIMILAR INCIDENT REPORTED ON SAME CAR 6 MONTHS EARLIER JUST AFTER RECALL. OWNER TRADED CAR BACK TO DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUCTION 3 DAYS LATER. *TR

01/31/2015
Components: WHEELS
Incident Date: 01/01/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

WHEN APPROACHING SPEED OF 55 REAR WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SIMILAR VEHICLE THAT DESCRIBES THIS PROBLEM IN THE FOLLOWING LINK HTTP://WWW.CNBC.COM/ID/101022824. *TR

11/27/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/12/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U662******
Summary

ON NOVEMBER 12, 2014 EVENING, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND GOING UP A HILL IN MY CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A THUMP SOUND AND THEN MY LEXUS RX400H LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR STALLED. IT WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS I WAS GOING UP A STEEP HILL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, MY DASH LIT UP WITH "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" , "CHECK VSC" AND OTHER LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON. I TRIED TO START THE CAR, BUT THE HYBRID "READY" LIGHT WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LEXUS DEALER. I PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN, THE LEXUS DEALER MECHANIC DID A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS AND SAID THAT IT INDICATED "HYBRID INVERTER PROBLEM". MY VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT INTO LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR AN EARLIER RECALL FOR IPM MODULE BUT THE DEALER AT THAT TIME SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT WITHIN THE SERIAL RANGE AFFECTED AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. I PHONED LEXUS USA ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014, AND THEY CONFIRMED MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE RECALL DLF, NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 13V396. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY LETTER. THE LEXUS DEALER THEN PUT IN THE IPM RECALL PART TOYOTA PART 04001-29148 PART AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PROPERLY. MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES AND JUST OVER 8 YEARS OLD AND TECHNICALLY OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED THE PART WITH LABOR AT NO CHARGE. THIS REPAIR COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IF NOT COVERED BY LEXUS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY LEXUS HYBRID, I DID NOT BE EXPECT THAT THE HYBRID VEHICLE COULD FAIL IN SUCH A CATASTROPHIC WAY. I'M A LITTLE FEARFUL TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, AND I HOPE LEXUS WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE HYBRID INVERTER, AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT FAILS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

10/26/2014
Components: SEATS
Incident Date: 10/24/2014
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Summary

I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, AND MY SEAT WARMER LIGHT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE SEAT KEPT GETTING HOTTER TO THE POINT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLY HOT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY 5 MI AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL THE BURNING. DURING THAT TIME, THE PLASTIC UNDER MY SEAT BUBBLED AND WAS WITHIN MINUTES OF CATCHING FIRE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. THE PREVIOUS MORNING I DROVE INTO BOSTON AND WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR AND HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ONE DAY EARLIER, I HAVE NO DOUBT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE UNDER MY SEAT. *TR

08/06/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2GA31U26C******
Summary

EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED CRACKS SHOWING UP AROUND MY IGNITION, THOSE CRACKS HAVE SPREAD UP TO THE TOP OF THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NOW, THERE ARE CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEADING UP TO AND AROUND THE AIRBAG. JUST THIS WEEK, I NOTICED THE DASH IS STARTING TO GET TACKY AND DUST IS STARTING TO STICK TO IT. I AM BEGINNING TO BE CONCERNED. ABOUT THE SAFETY AS IT APPEARS THE DASH IS DETERIORATING MORE AND MORE AS THE DAYS GO BY AND AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE RIDING WITH ME. I UNDERSTAND LEXUS HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOMETIME BUT HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE DASHES. *TR

08/05/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 08/04/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHA31U360******
Summary

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2006 LEXUS RX330 HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME. THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE DASH, AND SOFT SPOTS THAT REFLECT SUNLIGHT AS GLARE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. MY LEXUS DEALERSHIP (LEXUS OF TAMPA BAY, FL) HAS SO FAR BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME WITH THE DASHBOARD DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME TOYOTA CORPORATE WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, NOR PROVIDE ANY RELIEF, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SHOULD NOTE MY CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE, AND THE DASHBOARD IS ONLY EXPOSED TO THE FLORIDA SUN WHEN I AM DRIVING (WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON). *TR

07/29/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U760******
Summary

MULTIPLE CRACKS AND MELTING DASHBOARD. THE DASH IS VERY STICKY AND IS FALLING OFF IN PIECES. I'M CONCERNED IF THE AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOY THIS DEFECTIVE DASH WILL BECOME AN IED! *JS

07/25/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/28/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

DEAR SIRS! THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FEB 2009 FROM IRA LEXUS IN DENVER MA WITH 17K MILES ON IT. NOW THE CAR HAS 65K MI. IT DID DIE ON THE STREET ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO MECHANICS DID CHECK THE CAR AND DID WRITE A REPORT, THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING ISSUE WHICH WAS A REASON FOR THE RECALL. I HAVE RECALL INFO AND REPORT, CAN EMAIL. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. THE LEXUS DEALER SAYS THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM, BUT NEED A LEXUS APPROVAL. THE COST IS ABOUT $10K I DID CONTACT LEXUS AND RECEIVED A CALL THAT THEY WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM IN THE CAR ' INVERTER WENT BAD AND THE REASON FOR THAT ' A SMALL PART INSIDE, WHICH WAS ON THE RECALL. LEXUS SAY THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR A SMALL PART AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING. AND I BELIEVE THAT SINCE I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL LETTERS - THEY SHOULD FIX THE CAR. *TR

07/13/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 04/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

ABS SYSTEM INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILURE. *TR

06/06/2014
Components: STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/06/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BLOCK WALL IN FRONT OF ME. SINCE THE DISTANCE FROM HALF-WAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE TO THE WALL WAS SMALL (PROBABLY THREE TO FOUR FEET), I HAD NO TIME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LEXUS DEALER. I WAS IMMEDIATELY REFERRED TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WHO HANDLED ALL TRANSACTIONS AFTER THAT. AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR INSPECTED THE CAR, RETRIEVED THE CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL RECORDER AND ISSUED A REPORT. THE CDR INDICATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT PUSHED UNTIL AFTER THE CRASH, AND THAT THE SPEED IN THE FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE CRASH WENT FROM 3.7 TO 60.9 MPH. LEXUS REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, STATING ONLY THAT THE BRAKES, ACCELERATOR AND FLOOR MATS SEEMED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN OR HAVE ONLY THE BODY FIXED AND SOLD TO AN UNSUSPECTING THIRD PARTY. IT WAS EVENTUALLY DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WAS NO HELP OR ADMISSION OF A PROBLEM FROM LEXUS, EXCEPT TO TRY TO CHARGE US FOR CAR STORAGE AT THE DEALERSHIP DURING THE PROCESS. *TR

06/06/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/29/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H (HYBRID). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED VERTICAL CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

05/04/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/10/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

HAVING ENJOYED OWNING A LEXUS RX300, I MADE A HUGE "INVESTMENT" AND PURCHASED THE 2006 RX400H. IN APRIL OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED BY THE LEXUS DEALER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE CARPET INSIDE THE CABIN AREA WAS SOAKING WET! THE CAR HAD BEEN OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN WITH THE WINDOWS, SUNROOF AND DOORS CLOSED. ALSO, I TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHILE LOADING THE CAR ON TO THE JERR-DAN TOW TRUCK, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER POURED OUT OF THE REAR TRUNK AREA. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WAS POURING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LEXUS DEALER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, A LEAK IN THE REAR HATCH AREA WAS FOUND TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE WATER. THERE APPARENTLY IS A METAL SEAM WHERE THE WELDS DO NOT HOLD UP OR WERE NOT WELDED PROPERLY. WATER COLLECTED IN THE HYBRID BATTERY AREA CAUSING OVER $7000 DAMAGE. OF COURSE, LUCKILY FOR LEXUS, THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO MAKE A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE, WHICH ONLY COVERED THE DAMAGES BUT NOT THE CAUSE. MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ARE APPROXIMATELY $3000. WATER LEAKING FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO THE CABIN OF A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ONE OF THIS PRICE, IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND TO HAVE WATER COLLECT INTO THE "HEART" OF THE VEHICLE AND RENDER THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE IS FRIGHTENING. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON AN ISOLATED ROAD OR A BUSY HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE SUDDENLY QUIT. LEXUS KNEW ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM BUT DID NOT ADVISE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO WATCH FOR ANY SIGNS OF MOISTURE. THE REPAIR TO THE POPPED SEAM COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY ANY BODY SHOP OR, I'M TOLD, THE USE OF A GOOD QUALITY SILICONE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 3/10/2009 THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM: TSB-L-SB0019-09 REV 1. *TR

05/01/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/12/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. WE WERE TOLD THIS COULD BE A SAFETY RISK RELATED TO FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG. LEXUS OFFERED TO PROVIDE A NEW DASHBOARD IF WE PAID THE LABOR CHARGE OF $800. EVENTUALLY THE DEALER SPLIT THE LABOR CHARGE WITH US AND WE REPLACED THE DASHBOARD. *TR

04/14/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/12/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

THE CAR IS A HYBRID. IT WOULD NOT START (THE READY LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON), THEREFORE IT WAS INOPERABLE. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AND DID NOT DIE WHILE DRIVING. IF IT WOULD HAVE DIED WHILE DRIVING, MANY DANGEROUS POSSIBILITIES COULD HAVE INCURRED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A LEXUS DEALER IN COLUMBUS, THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS WATER IN THE HYBRID BATTERY AREA. AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH LEXUS SERVICE PERSONNEL, THEY CONCLUDED THAT "WELDS" NEAR THE HATCH HINGES HAD COME APART, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO SEEP INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO THE HYBRID ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. LEXUS SERVICE HAD EXPERIENCE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE, AND HAD GUESSED AT A VARIETY OF REASONS (SUCH AS EXCESSIVE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HATCH, WIND CATCHING THE HATCH WHILE IT WAS OPEN, AND OTHER LAME REASONS). THERE IS NO TICKER ON THE HATCH TO COUNT HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS OPENED NOR WHAT THERE ANY GUST OF WIND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSE THE WELDS, TWO WELDS, TO BREAK ALLOWING WATER TO SEEP INTO THE CAR. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, THAT THERE IS EITHER A MANUFACTURING ISSUE, AN ENGINEERING ISSUE, OR BOTH. I AM NEITHER AN EXPERT IN THESE AREAS, BUT DO HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE. LEXUS CORPORATE OR THE DEALER WOULD NOT CONFESS TO THE WRONGDOING AND THEREFORE I HAD TO SHELL OUT OVER $1600 IN REPAIRS. THEY WANTED ANOTHER $1100 TO RE-WELD THE 3 INCH GAP ON BOTH SIDES WITH PAINTING INCLUDED. DUE TO THE EXPENSE, I HAD TO OPT FOR USING SILICONE TO SEAL THE GAPS AND AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN DRY WEATHER. *JS

04/08/2014
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U662******
Summary

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FRESH POND ROAD AND MYRTLE AVENUE, MY LEXUS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD WAS "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM". SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED DEC 2012. ACCORDING TO LEXUS THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME WAS THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE LEXUS DEALER YET BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I GOT LUCKY WITHOUT SERIOUSLY INJURING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

04/07/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

PARKED, AND WHEN I TURNED ON CAR BOTH HIGHBEAMS WENT DIM. WENT TO REPLACE BULBS AND THE NEW BULBS ARE STILL DIM AND BEGINNING TO BUBBLE. *TR

02/24/2014
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 02/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

SLOWING THE VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN FROM ABOUT 20MPH. CONSTANTLY APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. AT ABOUT 15MPH THE BRAKE PRESSURE INVOLUNTARILY RELEASED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS NEVER ON THE ACCELERATOR AND CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE THROUGHOUT THE ACCELERATION. APPROX. 1/4 SECOND AFTER THE ACCELERATION, THE BRAKE CAME BACK ON AND CONTINUED TO APPLY AT THE SAME CONSTANT PRESSURE. THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LASTED ABOUT 1/2 A SECOND BUT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. *TR

01/26/2014
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

LEAKAGE OF COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR DISCOVERED AND IN LESS THAN 50 MILES AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT LIT, INDICATING FAILURE OF THE HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE SYSTEM , NAMELY THE HYBRID INVERTER. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND THE RADIATOR AND INVERTER WERE REPLACED. *TR

01/18/2014
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/13/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U260******
Summary

AS I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT I STARTED TO BRAKE. MY BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE EVEN WHEN I PUMPED. I SWUNG MY CARE TO THE LEFT SO I WOULD NOT REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT. I HIT THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER REAR CORNER (ON MY LEFT) AND TOTALED MY LEXUS. MY BRAKES WERE FINE UP TO THAT MOMENT AND ALTHOUGH I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE SCENE THEY SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN WHEN I PRESSED ON THEM (ALTHOUGH I CANNOT BE SURE AS THE CAR WAS STILL). IT WAS HORRIBLE. *TR

11/14/2013
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/09/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

10/30/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/22/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

WHILE TRAVELING EAST ON RT 2 IN MASSACHUSETTES THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BLEW OUT. AT THIS INSTANT THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING IT EXTRA DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. I LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO LEXUS OF MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE ECU HAD FAILED BY SWAPPING IT OUT WITH A KNOWN GOOD ONE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYBODY WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE CONTROL FORCE THAT A FLAT TIRE PUTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

08/11/2013
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 08/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

THE BLACK PLASTIC FINISH TRIM ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TRIANGULAR WINDOW BLEW OFF ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE, SINCE NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF IT...I HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHER LEXUS SUV'S OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR MODELS HAVE THAT PIECE MISSING! I SAW 3 OTHERS JUST YESTERDAY! I AM THINKING THAT WHATEVER IS SUPPOSE TO HOLD THAT PIECE ON IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO DO SO! *TR

07/05/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/30/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND P0AA6 WARNING ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, COULD NOT START UP. THERE WERE CRACKED BODY SEAMS ABOVE THE REAR DOOR STRUT MOUNTS ALLOWING WATER INTRUSION TO FLOOD THE ENTIRE BOTTOM WELL UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, NOTHING WAS WET. APPARENTLY, LEXUS HAS TWO TSB'S ON THIS ISSUE, L-SB-0019-09 & L-SB-0045-09, ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAMS SINCE OVER TIME THERE APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL FLAW ALLOWING THE SEAMS TO SEPARATE. THE WATER INTRUSION HAPPENS SILENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU GET WATER INTO AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND PARTS BEGIN SHORTING OUT WITHOUT ADVANCED WARNING. IMAGINE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND THE HYBRID BATTERY SHORTS AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPS! OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT STARTS A FIRE! LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND HOW COSTLY THE DAMAGE IS AND THE SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED AS A RESULT AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL OR LIMITED CAMPAIGN TO ALLOW FOR A SIMPLE REPAIR OF THE SEAMS TO PREVENT MAJOR DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. *TR

07/02/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/01/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKES BEING DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

04/23/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/20/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE IN OPERATION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 6/4/13 *CN

04/15/2013
Components: STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/12/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U560******
Summary

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE 4TH LEVEL OF A 6 STORY PARKING BUILDING, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED (LOUNGED) FORWARD. THERE WERE STEEL CABLES (RAIL GUARDS) THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING OVER AND NOSE DIVING ONTO THE STREET BELOW. THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE HOOD WERE DAMAGED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR ANY DEFECTS. AFTER DOING A "HEALTH CHECK" ON THE VEHICLE THE LEXUS REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I ALSO FILLED A REPORT WITH LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME, A TECHNICAL INSPECTOR WILL GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CHECK THE VEHICLE OUT. *TR

03/22/2013
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/21/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS BEING THE HYBRID INVERTER BATTERY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUTS OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

02/03/2013
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 10/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A LEXUS RX400H 2006. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS LURCHED FORWARD (I.E. ACCELERATED) BEFORE STOPPING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I WENT TO THE WILKIE LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN HAVERFORD, PA ON JANUARY 31, 2013. A TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED NORMAL BRAKING PERFORMANCE. I HAVE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA. BASED ON THESE SIMILAR REPORTS, I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I WILL ALSO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH LEXUS. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR VEHICLE, HOWEVER, IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. OTHERS WITH SIMILAR INCIDENCES HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. *TR

01/18/2013
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/17/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

I WAS DRIVING THE LEXUS RX400H WITHIN THE CITY AND TRIED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY TO AVOID A FAILED CAR IN MY LANE. I PUSHED REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CONTINUED TO STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION WHATSOEVER. IT APPEARED AS IF PRESSING VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE JUST DISABLED THE BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE LIKE IT WAS ON A CRUISE CONTROL AND THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT. *TR

10/19/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/16/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U360******
Summary

THIS IS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION/UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. I TURNED OFF OF A MAJOR ROAD INTO A SMALL, CROWDED PARKING LOT. AS I SLOWLY PULLED INTO AN AVAILABLE SPACE (WITH A CAR PARKED ON EACH SIDE OF ME), THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. ALTHOUGH I KEPT JAMMING ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD, THEY DID NOT STOP THE CAR--IT KEPT GOING FORWARD. THE CAR WENT OVER THE WOODEN RAILROAD TIE AT THE END OF THE PARKING SPOT AND CRASHED THROUGH A WOOD FENCE. THE ONLY REASON THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED IS DUE TO THE RAILROAD TIE, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR AT THE REAR AXLE AS THE FRONT OF THE CAR HUNG IN THE AIR. *TR

09/25/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/18/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RACK AND PINION. MAKING IT HARD TO STEER.THE RACK AND PINION MUST NOW BE REPLACED. *TR

04/04/2012
Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Incident Date: 04/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U060******
Summary

TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 75-80 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT-OFF. LOST ALL POWER AND "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE INVERTER ON THIS CAR WAS RECALLED IN JUNE 2011 AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN NOVEMBER OF 2011 AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, AND THEY DID NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SALINE KIRKLAND AT LEXUS OF MOBILE (SERVICE MANAGER) SAID SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM ONE WEEK AGO. *TR

03/17/2012
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/15/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

11/18/2011
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING. THE CONTACT ADDED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING TO CHECK ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING 4WD AND HYBRID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

11/18/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE LEAK AND WILL COST $1,800 TO REPAIR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OTHER OWNERS WITH A SIMILAR DEFECT WITH THEIR LEXUS 330'S. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE STEERING RACK IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FAILING LIKE THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD. *TR

07/01/2011
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/07/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

1A. AFTER PUTTING THE KEY IN TO KEY HOLE, IF YOUR START THE CAR RIGHT AWAY, IT WILL GIVE YOU A FAILURE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" OR"SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE STARTING" EVEN IT WAS ALREADY PARKED. 1B. POWER DRAINED IF RADIO WAS ON FOR 10-20 MIN AND CAR WILL NOT START 2. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS COOLED. I HAD TO WAIT FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BEFORE TURNING START TO GET IT START. 2 YEARS AFTER HAVING THE CAR, THE STARTER BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH THE SIMILAR SITUATION DESCRIBED ABOVE. DEALER NOW CLAIMS THAT BATTERY NEEDS REPLACEMENT AGAIN. 3. REPLACING STARTER BATTER WAS DONE THE FIRST TIME. I REALLY DOUBT THAT BATTERY DIED OUT SO QUICKLY, SO I'VE DONE A BIT RESEARCH (PROVIDED LINK BELOW) AND FOUND QUITE A FEW TALKED ABOUT INVERTER FAILURE CAUSING SIMILAR ISSUES, AND IT NOT ONLY RESULT IN HIGH COST TO REPLACE THE INVERTER, POSSIBLY LIFE BECAUSE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO STOP WHEN IN MOTION. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F136279/0 PLEASE KINDLY INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. *TR

06/29/2011
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 06/24/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U660******
Summary

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR; MY VEHICLE HAS 37,000 MILES, BUT HAS WORN THROUGH ITS 3RD SET FRONT TIRES. THE FIRST SET I BELIEVE WAS GOODYEAR (TIRES ON CAR AT PURCHASE), SECOND SET KUMHO, AND THIRD MICHELIN ENERGIES. LEXUS CLAIMS IT IS BAD LUCK AND WON'T FURTHER INVESTIGATE TO DATE. BACK TIRES WEAR MUCH SLOWER. *TR

06/24/2011
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/17/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM INVOLVES HYBRID INVERTERS IN LEXUS HYBRID VEHICLES. THIS PARTICULAR CASE INVOLVES A 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLE WITH ABOUT 109,000 MILES ON IT THAT HAD RECEIVED ALL RECOMMENDED, SCHEDULED, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING, ALL POWER TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY AND ABRUPTLY VANISHED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CONCOMITANTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND SKID CONTROL AS EVIDENCED BY NOTICES ON THE DASH. FORTUNATELY IN THIS CASE, MOMENTUM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL AND MANUALLY PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. LATER IT WAS TOWED A GREAT DISTANCE TO THE DEALER, AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE, THE DEALER BEING THE ONLY PLACE CAPABLE OF THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. THE DEALER FOUND THE HYBRID INVERTER FAULTY. NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE WARRANTY NO LONGER APPLIED THEREFORE THE COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED AS AN ASTONISHING $9,000.00 ! TOYOTA EVENTUALLY AGREED TO PAY THE DEALER FOR THE PART, BUT NOT ITS INSTALLATION. THE FAULTY PART WAS NOT RETURNED. SHOULD THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT NOT PROVE ISOLATED, SUCH ABRUPT AND UNCONTROLLED POWER LOSS RENDERS ALL THESE VEHICLES UNTRUSTWORTHY AT MINIMUM, AND RAISES POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SAFETY CONCERNS DEPENDENT ON CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDE WHERE AND WHEN HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE AND COMPLETE POWER LOSS SUDDENLY OCCURS. *TR

05/09/2011
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/08/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

THE CAR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS TRAVELING 70+MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS LEFT ONLY WITH BRAKES. MY PASSENGER NOTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED STRANGE, BUT THERE WERE NO INDICATORS ON THE DASH. CAR WAS TOWED TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THAT THE INVERTER WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND QUOTED $9,000 FOR PART AND $500 FOR LABOR. CAR HAD BEEN FULLY SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT SAME DEALERSHIP JUST A FEW WEEKS EARLIER. I WAS TOLD NEW INVERTERS COME FROM JAPAN AND USED ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND. *TR

05/08/2011
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 03/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

UNEXPECTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION - LACK OF ADEQUATE BRAKING DURING DISENGAGEMENT OF HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKING.

05/03/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/29/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

ON FRIDAY EVENING APRIL 29 2011 , I WAS DRIVING ON THE NY THROUGHWAY SOUTH BOUND TO NY CITY. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I LOST ALL POWER AND I HAVE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND I CANNOT RESTART THE CAR THEN I TURNED ON THE BLINKERS BUT IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES ALL POWER WERE GONE IT WAS DARK AND VERY DANGEROUS NOT TO HAVE THE EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ON. I CALLED THE AAA THEY TOLD ME TO SIT IN THE CAR WHILE THEY ASK FOR A STATE TROOPER TO LOCATE ME AND STATE POLICE HAD TO PARK BEHIND ME WITH HIS FLASHING LIGHTS TO PROTECT ME UNTIL THE TOWING TRUCK ARRIVE THE DEALER CHARGING ME 248.00 JUST TO DO THE DIAGNOSES THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE HYBRID INVERTER ($10,000.00) AND THE HYBRID BATTERY ($6,000.00) THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, LABOR NOT INCLUDED, I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANUFACTURER, AS I READ OTHER CONSUMER THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE HELP PROTECT ALL THE CONSUMERS IN THESE DEFECTIVE INVERTERS AND THE BATTERY FROM LEXUS. *TR

04/24/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/14/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U260******
Summary

1. NONE, LUCKILY I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP WHEN THE PART SEEMED TO POP OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING NOT QUITE AS SMOOTH 2 WEEKS PRIOR SO I HAD IT CHECKED @ THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IF THIS PART WERE TO MALFUNCTION @ HIGH SPEED I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE THIS COMPLAINT. 2. ONCE, I WILL REQUEST OLD PART IF DESIRED BUT EXPECT LEXUS TO TRY TO KEEP THE PART. WILL NHTSA HAVE IT PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP? 3. CAR IS IN REPAIR SHOP NOW. NOTHING DONE YET. HYBRID INVERTER W/ CONVERTER QUOTED TO BE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT PART #G92A0-48090, INDICATING TO ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THAT THE ORIGINAL PART IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

03/14/2011
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/03/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

DRIVING OFF A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST DIED. CHECK AWD - CVT - HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON . TOWED TO DEALER NEXT MORNING AND THEY CALLED TO SAY LUCKY IT IS UNDER WARRANTY ( I HAVE 64000 MILES , WARRANTY IS 70 K ) AND IT NEEDS A NEW INVERTER. I HAVE NOT SEEN BILL BUT HERE IT IS $ 7 TO $ 9000 YIKES ! THIS IS A PROBLEM AS IT SHAKES MY FAITH IN LEXUS BOUGHT FROM USA TO BRING TO CANADA AND RELIED ON TOYOTA - LEXUS BRAND --- THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE THE TOYOTA LEXUS HYBRID SYSTEM NEEDS A LONGER WARRANTY !!!! I BELIEVE IT IS A FAULTY CURRENT INVERTER MADE OF PLASTIC, THEY REPLACE WITH NEWER METAL ONE. *TR

02/16/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/16/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS BEING THE HYBRID INVERTER BATTERY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

02/16/2011
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 02/14/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,300.

02/12/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR SUMMARY: AT A STEADY RATE OF SPEED ON THE HWY, THE CAR SURGES AND PULLS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH RIDE. WHEN BRAKING EXPERIENCE SHORT BURSTS OF ACCELERATION. I AM CONCERNED AS THIS SEEMS TO BE LEADING TO AN INVERTER FAILURE. *TR

12/21/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 12/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

NO FAILURE, YET. BUT VEHICLE (LEXUS RX400H - 2006) IS A HYBRID. THERE IS A SEPARATE COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE HYBRID COMPONENTS (INVERTER, AND ELECTRIC MOTORS IN TRANSAXLE). COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSAXLE. IF ALL COOLANT LEAKS OUT, THE INVERTER WILL FAIL. WITHOUT THE INVERTER, THERE IS NO POWER - NO ELECTRIC STEERING, NO ELECTRIC BRAKES, AND NO MOTIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS. ADDITIONALLY, THE COOLANT MAY LEAK SOMEWHERE OR ONTO SOMETHING THAT MAY SHORT OUT OR CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS NOT A LEAK FROM A WORN OUT COOLANT HOSE, BUT DIRECTLY FROM THE TRANSAXLE. BEING A HYBRID, THE AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRIC POWER IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF INVERTERS FAILING (JUST CHECK THE LEXUS. TOYOTA AND OTHER HYBRID FORUMS) ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED, LEADING TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS, BUT THE POTENTIAL IS FRIGHTENING. *TR

12/09/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER SYSTEM SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW HYBRID SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

12/02/2010
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 11/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

2006 LEXUS RX400H (AND OTHER TOYOTA/LEXUS MODELS). ANTI BACTERIAL / MOLD COATING ON A/C EVAPORATOR BEGINS SHEDDING WITH AGE/TIME AND BLOWS WHITE POWDER/DUST THROUGH VEHICLE. LEXUS SAYS IT'S ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, AND IT'S PERFECTLY SAFE. HOW CAN IT BE SAFE TO INHALE / INGEST A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE? HAS LEXUS / TOYOTA DONE ANY STUDIES REGARDING ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE. IF IT'S SAFE, WHY DOES LEXUS / TOYOTA NOW OFFER (AND INSTALL IN NEW VEHICLES) AN A/C EVAPORATOR WITHOUT THE COATING? *TR

11/03/2010
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 11/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTHBP262085******
Summary

THE 2006 LEXUS RX400H HAS CONTINUOUSLY DEMONSTRATED EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE INSIDE FRONT TIRE WEAR. THE ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES WERE REPORTED AS WORN OUT AT A 10K MILE DEALER INSPECTION, AND THAT IS AFTER AN INSPECTION AT 5K MILES BROUGHT NO PROBLEMS TO MY ATTENTION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES, ON THE THIRD SET OF TIRES, WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO ALIGN THE FRONT END AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE ISSUE APPEARS TO REMAIN. THIS VEHICLE DESTROYS FRONT TIRES AT A RATE THAT WILL TAKE CONSUMERS BY EXTREME SURPRISE AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS TRAFFIC INCIDENTS DUE TO FRONT TIRE FAILURE. TIRES WITH A LOWER SPEED RATING DO SEEM TO IMPROVE LIFE, AS I HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST SET OF TIRES (EACH SET TRIED HAS BEEN DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER WITH HIGHER LIFE RATINGS); HOWEVER IT DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE SINCE THE LIFE OF THE TIRES IS STILL BEING DEMONSTRATED TO BE WELL LESS THAN HALF THAT EXPECTED. *TR

10/26/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

DEAD STARTER BATTERY - 1. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW (WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS) THE STARTER BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD IF WE DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR 4 OR MORE DAYS (OBVIOUSLY NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE WHERE IT WOULD SIT WITHOUT A CHARGER NEARBY LIKE TO AN AIRPORT). LEXUS HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES BUT JUST 1 MONTH AGO REPLACED IT AGAIN AND NOW AFTER A 1 WEEK TRIP TO CANCUN BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. LEXUS PRETENDS TO NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM BUT MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OFTEN MUCH WORSE WHERE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME SERIES OF PROBLEMS ULTIMATELY NEED TO HAVE THE INVERTER REPLACED WHICH IS A $9K PLUS PART (SO FAR IT SEEMS WHEN ITS PROVED TO LEXUS THEY DO THIS AT NO CHARGE -- BUT MINE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY). 2. PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS IF THE CAR SITS WITHOUT BEING STARTED FOR MORE THAN 4 DAYS. 3. THEY HAVE REPLACED BATTERY 3 TIMES. WE ARE AFRAID THAT OUR PROBLEM WILL ESCALATE AND MY WIFE WILL BE DRIVING WITH OUR 8 & 10 YEAR OLD CHILDREN AND THE BATTERY SYSTEM WILL FAIL CAUSING THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN AND SHE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER TO SAFETY WHEN BRAKE AND STEERING ARE NOT WORKING. IT IS UNFAIR FOR US TO POTENTIALLY HAVE TO SELL THE VEHICLE AT A HUGE LOSS TO AVOID THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE (AND THEN SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE THE PROBLEM). *TR

10/15/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U060******
Summary

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. STOP AT A STOP SIGN ON A VERY STEEP HILL. START TO PULL OUT ON TO A VERY BUSY ROAD. WHILE GIVING THE CAR GAS TO GO IT COMPLETELY GOES DEAD. NOTHING WILL WORK. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BACKED IT DOWN THE STEEP HILL TO A FLAT SURFACE. WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *TR

10/13/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 10/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CAR SHUDDERED AND LOST POWER AND ALL THE "CHECK" LIGHTS CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED INVERTER FAILURE. *TR

10/12/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT HE WAS ABLE TO COAST IT TO A STOP ON AN EXIT RAMP. THE HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

08/30/2010
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Incident Date: 08/29/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING - ENDED UP BEING A FAILED INVERTER. *TR

08/30/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/30/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

DRIVING AT 40 MPH, VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED,SHUT DOWN, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER ASSIST. *TR

07/30/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/24/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING A 2006 LEXUS 400H THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, EVERYTHING! JUST QUIT AND THE CAR HAD TO BE MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER WHAT SO EVER. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR'S INVERTER HAD FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED BY THE DEALER FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND HAS HAD NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE NEW INVERTER COSTS $8300! WE WILL PROBABLY SELL THE CAR FOR SALVAGE AS ITS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY AND WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL GO OUT NEXT! APPARENTLY THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER HYBRIDS BY LEXUS AND TOYOTA. ITS A MIRACLE THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. *TR

07/22/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/03/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE COMPUTER AND ENGINE TO FAIL. THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/15/10 BF UPDATED 10/19/10

07/17/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

I READ ON THE EDMUNDS SITE FOR LEXUS 400H, MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC INVERTER ON THE MODEL YEAR 2006. I OWN THIS CAR AND I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE YOUR AGENCY SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO THIS SITUATION AS IT APPEARS THAT OWNERS ARE REPORTING THAT LEXUS IS NOT ADMITTING TO THIS SITUATION. ONE OWNER REPORTS THAT LEXUS KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2006 AND CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT INVERTER STARTING WITH VIN #'S GREATER THAN 60036526. MY CAR'S VI # FALLS BELOW THAT CUTOFF AND I AM VERY WORRIED. WHEN THE INVERTER FAILS, ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THE DRIVER IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING. *TR UPDATED 06/02/11

06/10/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA LEXUS RX400H HYBRID. WHILE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ILLUMINATED. AN ALARM WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED LEXUS DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SKID CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO THE COMPUTER WHICH WAS ALSO REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IT COST HER A TOTAL OF $2,106.19. NOTHING WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,560.

06/08/2010
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 05/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

LEXUS RX-400H TIRES WEAR OUT SOONER THAN THEY SHOULD. *TR

05/24/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT BRAKING PROBLEM IN MY 2006 LEXUS RX400H AS DESCRIBED IN RECENT "CAR GUYS" COLUMN. WHILE COASTING TO A STOP WITH FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE PEDAL, IF I SUDDENLY STEP HARDER ON BRAKE, IT SEEMS TO DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND BEFORE THE BRAKE TAKES HOLD AGAIN. MY GUESS, SAME AS THE CAR GUYS, IS THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY IN SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO REGULAR FRICTION BRAKING. IT IS DISCONCERTING, BUT SOMETHING I CAN LIVE WITH AS I AM A CAUTIOUS DRIVER -- LEAVE PLENTY OF FOLLOWING DISTANCE, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY, AT VARIOUS TIMES, SO "INCIDENT DATE" IS FICTITIOUS JUST TO GET THROUGH THIS FORM. *TR

05/21/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 04/20/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

LEXUS RX400H 2006 - ABS - WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, IF THE CAR IS ON A BUMPY ROAD, THE BRAKES SEEM TO GIVE OUT AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS CAR SWITCHES FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO REGULAR BRAKES. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE YET TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR

05/04/2010
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY UNCLE BUMPED HIS LEG ON THE DOOR EDGE OF HIS 2006 LEXUS400H, CUTTING HIS LEG WHICH REQUIRED 5 STITCHES. THE EXTERIOR PANEL IS MUCH BIGGER THAT THE INTERIOR PANEL WHICH LEAVES A HUGE POINTED SECTION THAT STICKS OUT RATHER THAN TAPERING SAFELY IN: IF YOU LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN ON IT YOU CAN SEE HOW IT STICKS OUT. *TR

04/28/2010
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Incident Date: 03/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2006 LEXUS RX 400H HAS EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS TO STALL THE ENGINE. BRING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECKING. THE DEALER SAID MY VEHICLE USES INCORRECT GRADE OF GASOLINE OR NOT GOOD QUALITY GASOLINE AND RECOMMEND THAT I SHALL ALWAYS USE BETTER QUALITY GASOLINE, I.E. GASOLINE FROM SHELL. THE VIBRATION IS CAUSED BY THE MISFIRE. SUBSEQUENTLY USING THE GASOLINE FROM SHELL AND THE VIBRATION SEEMS TO BE REDUCED OR GO AWAY. LATER ON, TRY TO USE A DIFFERENT BRAND OF GASOLINE (SAME GRADE, PREMIUM) AND THE VIBRATION COMES BACK. IT SEEMS THE VIBRATION HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TIMING OF IGNITION WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THE COMPUTER. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT THE DESIGN OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE MODELING IS BASED ON CERTAIN BRAND OF GASOLINE OR THE DESIGN MARGIN IS SO TIGHT THAT THE IGNITION TIMING DOES NOT WORK WITH THE GASOLINE THAT IS SLIGHT DEVIATED FROM THE GASOLINE THAT LEXUS USES TO MAKE THE DESIGN. IF I DRIVE THE CAR LONG DISTANCE OR OUT OF TOWN AND CAN NOT FIND THE GAS STATION THAT SELL THE GASOLINE WHICH PRODUCE NO VIBRATION, THEN, I COULD RUN INTO A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT MY VEHICLE COULD BE STALLED OR BROKEN DOWN DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATION. *TR

04/20/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 07/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH ON A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKING SYSTEM BECOMES FAULTY CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE STOPPING DISTANCES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

04/17/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 04/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U760******
Summary

MOMENTARY ACCELERATION DURING NORMAL BRAKING. PROBLEM OCCURS REGULARLY (BUT NOT EVERY TIME) DURING NORMAL BRAKING. LEXUS DEALER SERVICE WRITER REPORTS THIS AS NORMAL AND EXPECTED PERFORMANCE. IT APPEARS THAT NORMAL BRAKING STARTS WITH REGENERATIVE BRAKES AND THEN TRANSITIONS TO FRICTION BRAKES. THERE IS A MOMENT DURING THE TRANSITION THAT BRAKING POWER IS LOST AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES. TO MAINTAIN EVEN DECELERATION DURING EVERY BRAKING MANEUVER THE DRIVER MUST BE PARTICULARLY AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND BE PREPARED TO QUICKLY APPLY SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE TRANSITION PHASE THEN IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE ADDED PRESSURE TO PREVENT OVER-BRAKING.. *TR

04/10/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 03/23/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL ON BRAKES AND ALMOST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND NOW IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING IT. IT HAS BEEN A HAZARD TO DRIVE. THE COMPUTER WAS CHANGED AND STILL IT OCCURRED AND IS WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR

04/06/2010
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/01/2010
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I WAS BRAKING. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ACCELERATION CAUSED ME TO SLAM INTO THE WALL OF MY OFFICE BUILDING AND BOUNCED THE CAR BACK 3-4 FEET. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AND HAD HIT MY LEG AGAINST THE PANEL DURING THE CRASH. AS THE DAY PROGRESSED I STARTED FEELING MORE AND MORE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT THROUGHOUT MY NECK, SHOULDERS AND CHEST AREA. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER FELT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED I HAVE REALIZED OCCASIONALLY WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DOESN'T SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. WHETHER THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE INCIDENT IS BEYOND ME. THE CAR WAS LATER TOWED TO LONGO LEXUS IN EL MONTE, CA FOR I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE. *TR

03/24/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 05/23/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

I HAVE A 2006, LEXUS, RX 400 H. A LEXUS CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEW TO ME LAST SUMMER. IT ACCELERATES SLIGHTLY WHEN I INITIATE BRAKING 2 OR 3 TIMES OUT OF 20 TIMES. I THOUGHT IT WAS "NORMAL" FOR A CAR WITH REGENERATIVE BRAKING. IT STARTLES YOU WHEN IT HAPPENS BUT HARD PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE STOPS THE CAR. YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTTENTION EACH TIME YOU BRAKE. WHAT IS SCARY IS IT ACCELERATES A LOT IN ABOUT 1 OF 100 TIMES WHEN I BRAKE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS HITTING BOTH THE GAS AND THE ACCELERATOR ... BUT I AM SURE I AM NOT. THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE TWO CAR LENGTHS BEFORE YOU CAN BRAKE IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS DANGEROUS AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER LAST YEAR. WE WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. THE DEALERSHIP RECORDED THE COMPLAINT AND TOLD ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. THE 2 CAR LENGTH ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS WORSE IN THE HOT MONTHS AND IT DID NOT SEEM TO OCCUR IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE SLIGHT ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAS NOT CHANGED IN FREQUENCY. WITH ALL THIS TOYOTA BRAKE STUFF, I WONDER WHY I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN LEXUS HYBRID CARS TOO?

03/09/2010
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/30/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U660******
Summary

LEXUS RX 400H ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK BUILDING. INCURRED $10,000 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION. NEVER HAS HAPPENED AGAIN-TOOK TO LEXUS DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AFTER DAMAGES REPAIRED AT BODY SHOP. THE CONSUMER AND HER DAUGHTER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. UPDATED 05/04/10

03/04/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $700 TO HAVE THE PART INSTALLED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 140,000.

03/04/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 03/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

WE OWN A 2006 LEXUS RX 400H AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED THE CAR 'JUMPS' FORWARD. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO REPORT THE ISSUE BUT THEY ALWAYS RETURN AND TELL US NOTHING IT WRONG WITH THE VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS EVENT DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IF WE ARE REQUIRED TO STOP SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, ETC. THAT OUR VEHICLE WILL JUMP AND WE WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/15/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

LEXUS RX400H, ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKES WERE APPLIED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WERE SUCH THAT THE THERE WAS A SLIGHT DELAY THAT HAD TO COMPENSATED FOR OR YOU WOULD PASS INTERSECTIONS OR TURNS. THE VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATES AT TIMES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR

02/25/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/01/1901
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U260******
Summary

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA RECALL FOR PRIUS BRAKE ISSUE, OWNER OF A 2006 LEXUS 400H CONCERNED WITH BRAKING PROBLEM EXPERIENCE W/VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE INCIDENT WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. *JB

02/24/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 11/23/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U360******
Summary

I WAS APPROACHING A LIGHT INTERSECTION AT 50MPH. WHEN LIGHT CHANGED TO RED I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES ABOUT 1,000FT FROM INTERSECTION. CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND BRAKES APPEARED NOT TO BE WORKING. I VEERED INTO MEDIAN TO AVOID STOPPED TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN ENTERED INTERSECTION CLIPPING THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. LEXUS DEALER REPORTED NO DEFECT WITH BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN STORED IN A FLORIDA GARAGE AND IT WAS THE 1ST TIME IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN TO THIS VEHICLE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. *TR

02/14/2010
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/11/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

FOLLOWING ARE THE SERIES OF EVENTS ON NOVEMBER 11, 2009: 1.I WAS LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING GARAGE OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. 2.I FOUND ONE OPEN SPACE ON MY LEFT. 3.I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SLOWED DOWN MY CAR TO ALMOST ZERO SPEED. 4.I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT TOWARDS THE PARKING SPACE. 5.I SLOWLY RELEASED THE BRAKES TO LET THE CAR SLOWLY ROLL INTO THE PARKING SPACE. 6.SUDDENLY MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. 7.I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. I TRIED MY BEST TO APPLY THE BRAKES. 8.BEFORE, I COULD REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED, THE CAR BANGED INTO THE PARKING GARAGE WALL AROUND 3 METERS AHEAD OF ME AND STOPPED AFTER THE IMPACT. 9.THE IMPACT WAS SO BAD THAT THE AIRBAGS POPPED OUT. 10.SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. 11.I SUFFERED SEVERE 'WHIPLASH' INJURY IN MY NECK. 12.NOT ONLY THIS, THE PLACE WHERE IT ALL HAPPENED WAS ALMOST 4 STORIES HIGH IN PARKING GARAGE. HAD THE WALL IN-FRONT OF ME GIVEN AWAY, I WOULD HAVE FALLEN ALMOST 4 STORIES DOWN WITH THE CAR. 13.I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SURVIVE THE CRASH WITHOUT ANY SEVERE INJURY. 14.FOR A FEW SECONDS, I WAS TOTALLY BLANK, THEN I TRIED OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT IT WAS STUCK. 15.I PUSHED IT HARD, AND DOOR OPENED SLIGHTLY. 16.I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TOOK THE KEYS OUT. 17.I RUSHED OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. 18.THE INSURANCE COMPANY (GEICO) SENT SOMEONE TO TOW AWAY THE CAR. 19.THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY TO COLLISION CENTER. 20.AFTER SPENDING MORE THAN A MONTH AND AROUND USD 18,000.00, I GOT MY CAR BACK ON DECEMBER 16TH 2009 FROM THE COLLISION CENTER. *TR

02/13/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 01/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

BRAKE SLIPPAGE ON 2006 LEXUS RX400H - I BOUGHT THIS NEW IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE THEN, WE'VE SEEN THE SAME KIND OF BRAKE SLIPPAGE THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING. WHEN WE'RE BRAKING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE AS IF THE BRAKES STOPPED GRABBING OR SLIPPED. THE CAR DOES COME TO A STOP WITH CONTINUED PRESSURE BUT THE SUDDEN FEELING OF ACCELERATION IS MOST DISCONCERTING. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I'M THERE, I MENTION THE BRAKING ISSUE. AND, EACH TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT ITS NORMAL FOR THE TYPES OF BRAKES USED IN THE HYBRID TECHNOLOGY. *TR

02/11/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 02/11/2010
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

I OWN A 2006 LEXUS RX400H WHICH I BELIEVE HAS EXACTLY THE SAME FLAW AS RECENTLY REPORTED IN THE PRIUS. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY MY CAR LURCHING FORWARD DURING BREAKING WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE LEXUS OF WATERTOWN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I REPORTED THAT I THOUGHT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE REGULAR BRAKE. IT SEEMED LIKE THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF SLIGHTLY BEFORE THE REGULAR BRAKING SYSTEM KICKED IN CAUSING A GAP IN THE BRAKING THAT WAS PERCEIVED BY ME TO BE A "LURCHING FORWARD". OF COURSE, WHAT IT WAS A DECREASE IN DECELERATION THAT APPEARED BE ACCELERATION. IN ANY EVENT, THE DEALER SAID HE CHECKED THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WOULD SAY FROM THAT TIME UNTIL NOW I HAD ABOUT ONE OR TWO INSTANCES OF THIS LURCHING PER MONTH. I AM VERY USED TO HYBRIDS AND CURRENTLY OWN A PRIUS AS WELL, SO I KNOW THE IDIOSYNCRATIC NATURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECENT CASCADE OF REPORTS ON PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIUS I CALLED MY DEALER AGAIN AND TOLD THEM, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE LEXUS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY LEXUS HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE I WAS TOLD NO, HOWEVER, THE WORDING OF THE ANSWER WAS GUARDED. TODAY, I HAD ANOTHER LURCHING EVENT. APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ON A SMOOTH, DRY ROAD I LURCHED FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. IF A PEDESTRIAN WERE CROSSING THE STREET AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, HOPEFULLY NOT DEATH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I CONTACTED MY LEXUS DEALER TO RELAY THIS ISSUE TODAY AND SAY WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING. THEY DID NOT RESPOND, SO I AM MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT BEFORE MORE SERIOUS HARM IS DONE. *TR

02/10/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 01/28/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

BRAKES SLIP ON MY LEXUS 400 HYBRID SUV, 2006 MODEL. THIS OCCASIONAL SLIPPAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY SAY THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FROM 2006 PURCHASE DATE UNTIL THE PRESENT, 2010. *TR

02/09/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 02/07/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31UX60******
Summary

I OWN 2 2006 LEXUS RX 400 H HYBRID SUV'S. FROM THE FIRST WEEK I COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE WHEN YOU DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS. THE LEXUS DEALER HAS DISMISSED MY COMPLAINT EACH TIME. NOW THERE APPEARS TO BE A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF TOYOTA HYBRIDS AND ONE LINE OF LEXUS HYBRIDS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST WITH THEIR NEW S50 LEXUS HYBRID. IT HAS EXISTED AT LEAST AS FAR BACK AS 2006 WITH MY CARS. *TR

02/09/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U460******
Summary

RE: LEXUS RX400H NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST BY TOYOTA. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF BRAKING/ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT SAY BRING IT IN FOR A TEST DRIVE. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN TEST DRIVEN SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM DOES NOT DUPLICATE. IT IS RARE, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS. TOYOTA JUST SHRUGS IT OFF. I KNOW WHAT THE CAR DOES, I'VE DRIVEN IT FOR NEARLY 3 YRS WITH APPROX. 12 INCIDENTS OF THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

02/08/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 12/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

MY LEXUS RX400 H HYBRID VEHICLE IS EXPERIECING SMILAR PROBLEM REGARDING THE BREAK LIKE TOYOTA PRIUS . WHEN BUMPY , DOWN HILL AND ICE ROAD, THE BRAKE WILL EXPERIENCE TEMPORARY DISABLE AND THE CAR WILL MOVE FORWARD.WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN OR SLIPPERY SURFACES, THE BRAKING SYSTEM GETS CONFUSED AND BRAKING POWER IS LOST MOMENTARILY.

02/08/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 02/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST MORNING OF FEB 3 2010 FOR MY REGULAR SERIVICE. I DIDN'T KNOW YET THAT TIME ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND THE BREAK TIME LAG OF PRIUS. BECAUSE THAT DAY I TOLD LEXUS TO TAKE A LOOK ON MY BRAKE AS I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PRIUS. MY CAR IS A RX400H 2006 MODEL. NOT ONLY I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM DURING SLOW MOVEMENT(APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT) BUT EVEN ON A HIGH SPEED(60-65). I COMPALAIN THE PROBLEM TO LEXUS 3 YEARS AGO AND THEY DID SOME ADJUSTMENT(I DON'Y KNOW WHAT EXACTLY IS) BUT STILL I ALWAYS HAVE THAT PROBLEM AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. MYWIFE IS THE ONE WHO DRIVES THAT CAR A LOT, AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE NEVER HAVE THAT EPISODE ON A HIGH SPEED, BUT SHE SAID SHE ALWAYS HAVE THAT ON A 50MPH SPEED ON A LOCAL STRRET, WHICH IS EVEN WORST, AS THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU ARE VERY CLOSE. ACTUALY LAST FEB 3 2010 THE LEXUS GAVE ME A LOANER CAR FOR THAT DAY AND IT IS A HS HYBRID CAR(450 MILES) AND IT'S ALMOST NEW, AND I WAS SURPRISED THAT IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I'M APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. SO I TOLD MYSELF, IS THIS NORMAL TO A HYBRID? MY RX400H IS NOW 4 YEARS AND I CANNOT REMEMBER I'M HAVING THAT PROBLEM ON IT'S 1ST YEAR. I BELIEVE THE SLOW SPEED WAS STARTED A MONTH AGO.(MID JAN 2010) AND THE HIGH SPEED IS PROBABLY 3 YEARS NOW. THIS MESSAGE IS NOT A COMPLAIN, BUT RATHER THEM(TOYOTA) TO INVESTIGATE IF EVERYTHING IS STILL NORMAL. *CN

02/05/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 02/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

LEXUS RX400H BRAKE MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY. IN FREQUENTLY, AFTER LONG STEADY CONTROLLED BRAKING DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKES ON MY LEXUS WILL RELEASE WITHOUT INPUT FROM ME FOR A SECOND IN TIME. THE LOSS OF BRAKING CAUSES ME TO PRESS ON THE PEDDLE AND THE CAR'S BRAKING PERFORMANCE RETURNS TO NORMAL. HAVE EXPERIENCED AS I HAVE DECELERATED TO A STOP FOR A SIGNAL LIGHT/STOP SIGN. NOT RELATED TO ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD SURFACE OR THE LIKE. FREQUENCY IS WEEKLY/MONTHLY, BUT RANDOM IN TIMING CAN'T IDENTIFY BRAKES FROM THE SYSTEM FAILURE LIST. CHOSE POWERTRAIN OUT OF FRUSTRATION.*TR

02/05/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES
Incident Date: 04/16/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

LEXUS RX400H HAS A BRAKE ISSUE. INSTEAD OF STOPPING IT SOMETIME ACCELERATES AND CONTINUOUS BRAKING LEADS IT TO STOP. THE HYBRID TECHNOLOGY FORCES MANY OF US TO CHANGE ALL FOUR COMPANY FITTED ALL FOUR TIRES JUST IN 2 YEARS. VERY DISAPPOINTED BY PAYING PREMIUM FOR PREMIUM BRAND BUT NOT GETTING PREMIUM QUALITY! *TR

02/05/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 01/30/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX62******
Summary

2006 LEXUS RX 400 AT SLOW SPEEDS STEPS ON BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENS FOR ABOUT 2 - 3 SECONDS. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENTS AS I HAVE ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE FOR BRAKES TO RESPOND. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH ANY PATTERN AND IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. *TR

02/05/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 10/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U760******
Summary

WHEN BRAKING, IF A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT OR WHEN EITHER THE TEMPERATURES ARE REALLY COLD (ON OCCASION) OR THE HYBRID BATTERY CHARGE IS CLOSE TO FULL, THE CAR'S REGENERATIVE BRAKING STOPS AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE FRICTION BRAKES BEING APPLIED BY THE SYSTEM. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR SEEMINGLY JERK FORWARD FOR A SECOND. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS RECURRED OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS/60,000 MILES. NO FIX FROM LEXUS. HAD TO LEARN TO EXPECT THIS BEHAVIOR AND DRIVE ACCORDINGLY (ON OCCASION HAVING TO EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH ABS ACTIVATED). *TR

02/04/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 12/28/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN LATE 2005, MY 2006 LEXUS RX 400H HYBRID SUV WILL LOSE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. I HAVE PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAINTAIN BRAKING FORCE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU GO OVER A CERTAIN TYPE OF BUMP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THERE IS NO LIGHT OR WARNING SOUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOSS OF BRAKING EFFORT. IF IT POSSIBLE TO SAFELY REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL OR A SECOND, AND THEN RE-APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ARE RESTORED TO NORMAL OPERATION. VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED IN INCREASING BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO AVOID A CRASH. I HAVE TO COMPLAINED TO SEVERAL LEXUS DEALERS AND TO LEXUS CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THE COMPANY NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND/OR WAS NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN MY CAR. *TR

02/04/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 11/17/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM (MY BRAKES FAIL ALSO WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROADS) SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2006 LEXUS RX400H. THEY HAVE BEEN TELLING ME ITS NORMAL AND DENY ITS EVEN A PROBLEM. EB. 4: NHTSA TODAY ANNOUNCED IT IS OPENING A FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID MODEL YEAR 2010 TO LOOK INTO ALLEGATIONS OF MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP. THE AGENCY RECEIVED 124 REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS, INCLUDING FOUR ALLEGING THAT CRASHES OCCURRED. INVESTIGATORS HAVE SPOKEN WITH CONSUMERS AND CONDUCTED PRE-INVESTIGATORY FIELD WORK. 'SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY,' SAID TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD. 'THAT IS WHY IN RECENT WEEKS NHTSA HAS ALSO ISSUED A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE RECALL OF SEVERAL MODELS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES AND THE PONTIAC VIBE INVOLVING PEDAL ENTRAPMENT AND STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDALS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THESE ISSUES CLOSELY.' NEWS RELEASE. *TR

02/03/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 04/03/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY ACCELERATES OR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN I STEP ON BRAKE AND AM BRAKING OVER UNEVEN PART OF THE ROAD. *TR

02/03/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U360******
Summary

I OWN A 2006 LEXUS RX-400H, AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 1-2 YEARS THAT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE PROBLEM GENERALLY OCCURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN ABOUT 25-45 MPH, AND INVOLVES A SUDDEN DECREASE IN BRAKING DECELERATION WITH CONSTANT BRAKE PRESSURE, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO QUICKLY APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. FROM MY OWN OBSERVATIONS, AS WELL AS FROM TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH SEEMS TO ABRUPTLY STOP REGENERATIVE BRAKING WITHOUT COMPENSATING WITH ADDITIONAL FRICTION BRAKING. AFTER FINALLY HAVING THIS PHENOMENON CONFIRMED BY THE DEALERSHIP AFTER OVER WELL OVER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCING IT, I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT LEXUS ENGINEERS ARE CALLING THIS "NORMAL" AND "EXPECTED" BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT, WHILE IT MAY BE "NORMAL" OR "EXPECTED" TO LEXUS, IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING IN A PREDICTABLE MANNER. I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEEN STARTLED BY OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR CROSS WALK, AND CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO REACT IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, OR A PEDESTRIAN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IT CAN BE FAIRLY EASILY REPRODUCED IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF TEST DRIVING. *TR

02/02/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE 2006 LEXUS RX 400H AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKE AS PRIUS HAS. WHEN I SLOW DOWN A CAR AND MY CAR HITS A ROUGH PATCH OF SURFACE, OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKE SEEMS TO RELEASE AND I EXPERIENCE 'BRAKE SURGING'. SEVERAL INSTANCE I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AT AN INTERSECTION. I BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE LEXUS DEALER BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM DURING THEIR EXAMINATION. HELP! *TR

07/01/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/20/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUT DOWN TOTALLY. *TR

04/15/2009
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 04/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

ONE ANOTHER VICTIM OF OE TIRES OF INFERIOR QUALITY + ALIGNMENT ISSUES OF LEXUS RX 400H. I AM FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST LEXUS COMPANY. RECENTLY, I DROVE THE SUV (@ 125 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE I LIVE) TO MY DEALER TO GET THE RECALL OF 'POWER STEERING LINK ASSEMBLY' FIXED. THE DEALER PHONED TO TELL ME THAT ALL 4 TIRES MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BADLY WORN INSIDE TREAD AND STEEL BELT IS VISIBLE ' UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS SHOCKED! WHAT? AT 23,782 MILES? JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CAR I OWNED BEFORE, I EXPECTED TO REPLACE THEM AT 50-60K MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE OE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 235/55VR18 TIRES USUALLY LAST ABOUT 20K MILES. HE ALSO SAID BECAUSE IT'S A HYBRID CAR!! SHOCKED AGAIN! I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THAT CAR IF I HAD KNOWN THIS. THE ONLY THING MENTIONED ON THE WINDOW STICKER WAS '235/55VR18 ALL-SEASON TIRES.' I SCANNED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT MANY OUT THERE SHARE THE SAME QUESTION AND CONFUSION. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY ANYONE OF THE FACT THAT THE EARLIER 400HS HAD ALIGNMENT ISSUES AND THE OE TIRES ON THESE EXPENSIVE 400H SUVS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ROUGHLY EVERY 20K. LEXUS SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THE EARLIER 400HS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. ON THE AVERAGE, A CAR WITH AVERAGE QUALITY TIRES WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT ROUGHLY EVERY 50K-60K, WHICH SHOULD BE THE NORM. LEXUS CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LUXURIOUS AS WELL AS RELIABLE, WHY WOULD THE TIRES BE ABNORMALLY WORN JUST ON THE INSIDE EDGE AT JUST 20K MILES? I BELIEVE,I HAVE BEEN MISINFORMED BY LEXUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR LEXUS RESPONSIBILITY OF PUTTING THESE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES ON SUCH LUXURIOUS CARS AND MAKE THE CONSUMERS PAY FOR THE INFERIOR QUALITY. SINCE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TIRE PERFORMANCE WAS DUE TO THE SUV IS A 'HYBRID' CAR, THEN IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED LEXUS TO INSTALL A DIFFERENT SET OF TIRE. *TR

02/20/2009
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 02/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

I HAVE A 2006RX 400H, WITH 60K MILES, AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I BROKE DOWN 2 WEEKS AGO ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT BRAKES, LOUD WARNING SOUNDS, AND FAILURE LIGHTS ALL OVER THE DASH. MY CHOICES AT THAT TIME WERE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, CENTER DIVIDER DID NOT EXIST BUT INSTEAD WAS A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND RIGHT HAND SHOULDER EASED OFF TO THE RIVER. SINCE IT WAS NOT COMMUTE TIME, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OFF AT THE OLD MARE ISLAND BASE IN VALLEJO. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO FREEMAN LEXUS, SANTA ROSA, WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICING DONE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK OR SO TO GET. THE JOB WAS DONE ON WED. FEB 11. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK IT UP AND WAS ON MY WAY TO SF TO TEACH A CLASS, WHEN LESS THAN 30 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP, ON HIGHWAY 101, IN THE MIDDLE OF COMMUTE TRAFFIC, FAILURE ALARMS AND LIGHTS SOUNDED AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS SHOCKED AND TRIED TO QUICKLY GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SLOW/RIGHT HAND LANE AND TRIED TO SLOW DOWN. I FINALLY, 2 MILES LATER, FOUND AN EXIT RAMP AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP AFTER A LONG APPROACH TO THE RAMP. I WAS STOPPED BETWEEN THE LANE AND THE SHOULDER. CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN TO LET THEM KNOW OF THE FAILURE. THEY NOW HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK AT FREEMAN LEXUS. IF THIS COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, HOW COULD THIS FAILURE HAPPEN AGAIN. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD TO REACH OUT TO ALL MY STUDENTS TO CANCEL THE CLASS AT THE LAST MINUTE. THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND BOTH TIMES COULD HAVE ENDED IN INJURY, SERIOUS COLLISION, TO OTHERS OR MYSELF. WHILE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DELIGHTED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND LEXUS PRODUCTS AND SERVICE, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I COULD BE TOLD REGARDING THE REPAIR OF THIS CAR, THAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL SAFE. I FEEL LIKE WITH THESE 2 FAILURES, TWO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SITUATIONS WERE AVERTED. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITH TERRIBLE OR DEADLY CONSEQUENCES? *TR

01/23/2009
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 04/29/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR FOR STANDARD TIRES EQUIPPED ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER 17K MILES AND TIRE ROTATIONS EVERY 5K MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE INNER EDGE OF ALL FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES WERE BALD OR CLOSE TO BALD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH MICHELIN TIRES AT A COST OF $1,297. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE GOODYEAR TIRES AS THEY WERE "TOO SOFT" FOR THE VEHICLE, A 2006 RX400H. I INSPECTED THE TIRES AND WAS SHOCKED AT THEIR CONDITION. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THAT CAR KNOWING THEIR STATE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRES ON LEXUS VEHICLES NORMALLY NEED REPLACING BEFORE 20K MILES AND WAS THEREFORE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. ONLY AFTER EXPRESSING MY DISPLEASURE WITH THE SITUATION, I WAS OFFERED A FREE WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER PURCHASING NEW TIRES ELSEWHERE. *TR

01/11/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING 2006 LEXUS 400H WHEN I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FADE. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 21 DEGREES AND I TRAVELED ONLY 8 MILES. I WENT OUT ON THE ROAD A HALF HOUR LATER. I HAD TO USE TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL HALF WAY TO THE STORE SINCE POWER STEERING HAD FADED GREATLY. WHEN I GOT INTO THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED INTO A SPACE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME BECAUSE THE STEERING JUST DIED. IN ANY EVENT, AFTER GRUNTING AND USING MUCH MUSCLE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME. HOWEVER, WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN AT INTERSECTIONS, THE WHEEL SEEMED TO PULSATE LIKE POWER WAS COMING ON. BECAUSE I WAS PUTTING MUCH STRENGTH ON THE WHEEL TRYING TO CONTROL THE TURN, I DRIFTED CLOSE TO THE OPPOSITE LANE TWICE AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF A STOPPED CAR WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. I AM UNABLE TO EVEN STEER THE CAR NOW. THE STEERING AND FRONT WHEELS WILL MOVE SIDE TO SIDE SEVERAL INCHES JUST SITTING THERE. THE CAR HAS 35,154 MILES ON IT. I KNOW THE MANUAL SAYS THE ELECTRONIC POWER UNIT WILL SHUT DOWN IF IT OVERHEATS FROM OVERUSE BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN MY SITUATION. IT JUST PROGRESSIVELY SHUT DOWN. I FEAR THAT AN ELDERLY OR A PERSON WITHOUT MUCH ARM STRENGTH WOULD NOT HAVE FARED AS WELL AS I DID. *TR

09/13/2008
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 12/10/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U560******
Summary

THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES ON MY LEXUS RX 400H WILL STOP WORKING DURING NORMAL BRAKING OPERATION CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO HAVE TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF REGENERATIVE BREAKING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE A BRAKING ADJUSTMENT. THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN DECEMBER, 2007. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL, 2005. I DO NOT FEEL THAT AN OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE SUDDEN ADJUSTMENTS IN THEIR BREAKING ACTION TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DISENGAGEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE BREAKING SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS BACK TO THE LEXUS DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY BELIEVE THE CAR IS WORKING NORMAL, EVEN WHEN THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

09/09/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/08/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31UX60******
Summary

MAKING A TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE STEERING MECHANISM EXPERIENCED A FAILURE THAT LEAD TO AN NEAR INABILITY TO STEER. THE STEERING WAS SO STIFF WITH OCCASIONAL UNCOMMANDED INPUTS THAT IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE DURING HIGHWAY SPEED DRIVING.....VERY UNSAFE! *TR

08/08/2008
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/15/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE ' HYBRID CARS ARE VERY QUIET AND THUS PRESENT A DANGER TO PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH PARKING LOTS. THE DANGER IS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS WHEN THOSE DRIVING THE HYBRIDS ARE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES - NO MATTER HOW CAREFULLY THE DRIVERS ARE BACKING OUT! PEDESTRIANS DEPEND ON THEIR HEARING TO ALERT THEM TO CARS BACKING OUT, SO THEY SIMPLY WALK RIGHT BEHIND A CAR THAT IS ALREADY MOVING. I OWN A 2006 LEXUS 400H AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT BACK-UP LIGHTS THAT BEEP TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS, BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE FROM ANY SOURCE. I URGE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE MODELS INCLUDE EXTERNAL SOUND FOR HYBRIDS WHEN THEY ARE BACKING UP AND ALSO TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT BACK UP LIGHTS THAT PROVIDE THAT SAME CAPACITY FOR OLDER HYBRID MODELS. MARCIA GARB *TR

08/06/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 08/06/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

I OWN A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I WAS TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HWY AT 60 MPH WHEN ONE OF MY TIRES "BLEW". I DID NOTICE THAT I HAD RUN OVER ANY ROAD DEBRIS BUT THE TIRE HAD A TWO INCH SLICE IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION, ORIGINAL LEXUS EQUIPMENT, A MICHELIN 235/55R18 . TODAY, MY DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID (BASICALLY THE SAME CAR AS MY LEXUS 400H) HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH HER BABY IN THE CAR. SHE HIT A CURB WITH THE CAR HARDLY MOVING. THE TIRE "BLEW", AND LIKE MINE, WENT FLAT IMMEDIATELY. SHE HAD A SIMILAR TWO INCH GASH IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL TOYOTA EQUIPPED. I'VE BEEN DRIVING A LONG TIME. I'VE NEVER SEEN SIDEWALL BLOWOUTS LIKE THIS (MINOR PROVOCATION) SINCE RADIAL TIRES WERE INTRODUCED. PLEASE CHECK OUT THESE TOYOTA PROVIDED TIRES. *TR

06/14/2008
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/05/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

VEHICLE WAS NORMALLY MAINTAINED AND LIGHTLY DRIVEN. ONE YEAR OF AGE OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN DRIVEN ON LEVEL DRY SURFACES, THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE BECAME ERRATIC AND REMAINS ERRATIC. IN EVERYDAY USE THE VEHICLE WILL TEND TO OVERBRAKE OR UNDERBRAKE DEPENDING UPON THE MECHANICAL LOADING OF THE HYBRID DRIVE. THE ONBOARD FIRMWARE IS NOT PROPERLY ACCOUNTING FOR INTEGRATING THE STOPPING POWER OF THE BRAKES AND THE HYBRID DRIVE. THIS CAUSES DRIVER CONFUSION AND IN SOME CASES HAZARDOUS FAILURE TO BRAKE CONDITIONS WHEN THE HYBRID DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY AND ERRATICALLY CEASES IT'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE BRAKING FORCE OF THE VEHICLE. I.E. IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY COMPENSATE, THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT LOW SPEED AND WITHIN A FEW FEET OF PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER STOPPED VEHICLES IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT ERRATIC/LOSS OF BRAKING IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SBS POSTED TO UPGRADE THE FIRMWARE, BRAKING/HYBRID DRIVE SYSTEMS. LEXUS RX400H, 2006 MODEL. *TR

05/21/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 11/30/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

PRIOR TO HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED, THERE WERE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ON THE VERGE OF SLIPPING/SKIDDING OR LOSING GRIP OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LATE IF THERE WERE INJURIES OR DEATHS DUE TO THE UNSAFE QUALITY OF THIS PRODUCT. ON NOV. 30, I TOOK MY 400H TO THE DEALER FOR THE 10K SERVICE. IT WAS THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE IT GETS SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES. THE DEALER PHONED TO TELL ME THAT ALL 4 TIRES MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BADLY WORN INSIDE TREAD. I WAS SHOCKED! WHAT? AT 19,562 MILES? JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CAR I OWNED BEFORE, I EXPECTED TO REPLACE THEM AT 40K-60K MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE OE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 235/55VR18 TIRES USUALLY LAST ABOUT 20K MILES. SHOCKED AGAIN! I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THAT CAR IF I HAD KNOWN THIS. THE ONLY THING MENTIONED ON THE WINDOW STICKER WAS '235/55VR18 ALL-SEASON TIRES.' WE SCANNED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT MANY OUT THERE SHARE THE SAME QUESTION AND CONFUSION. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED BY LEXUS THAT EARLIER 400HS HAD ALIGNMENT ISSUES. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED THAT THE OE TIRES ON THESE EXPENSIVE 400H SUVS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ROUGHLY EVERY 20K. ON THE AVERAGE, A CAR WITH AVERAGE QUALITY TIRES WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT ROUGHLY EVERY 40K-60K, WHICH SHOULD BE THE NORM. WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BEEN MISINFORMED BY LEXUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR LEXUS RESPONSIBILITY OF PUTTING THESE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES ON SUCH LUXURIOUS CARS AND MAKE THE CONSUMERS PAY FOR THE INFERIOR QUALITY OR EVEN POTENTIAL HAZARD. SOME OF US WOULD HAVE OPTED FOR A DIFFERENT CAR OR EVEN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT MAKE IF IT MEANS PAYING ABOUT $1000 FOR EVERY 20K WE DRIVE JUST ON TIRE REPLACEMENT. WE ARE ALSO EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED BY LEXUS' INACTION KNOWING SUCH WIDELY-DISCUSSED PROBLEM. LEXUS CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LUXURIOUS AS WELL AS RELIABLE. ANOTHER QUESTION IS, WHY WOULD THE TIRES BE ABNORMALLY WORN JUST ON THE INSIDE EDGE? *TR

05/21/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 11/30/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

AS OF THIS COMPLAINT, LEXUS SHOULD NOT BUT STILL IS USING THE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES AS OE TIRES. ON NOV. 30, I TOOK MY 400H TO THE DEALER FOR THE 10K SERVICE, THE SAME PLACE WHERE IT GETS SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES. THE DEALER PHONED TO TELL ME THAT ALL 4 TIRES MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BADLY WORN INSIDE TREAD. I WAS SHOCKED! WHAT? AT 19,562 MILES? JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CAR I OWNED BEFORE, I EXPECTED TO REPLACE THEM AT 40K-60K MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE OE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 235/55VR18 TIRES USUALLY LAST ABOUT 20K MILES. SHOCKED AGAIN! I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THAT CAR IF I HAD KNOWN THIS. THE ONLY THING MENTIONED ON THE WINDOW STICKER WAS '235/55VR18 ALL-SEASON TIRES.' WE SCANNED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT MANY OUT THERE SHARE THE SAME QUESTION AND CONFUSION. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED BY LEXUS THAT EARLIER 400HS HAD ALIGNMENT ISSUES. LEXUS SHOULD RECALL ALL EARLIER 400HS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED THAT THE OE TIRES ON THESE EXPENSIVE 400H SUVS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ROUGHLY EVERY 20K. ON THE AVERAGE, A CAR WITH AVERAGE QUALITY TIRES WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT ROUGHLY EVERY 40K-60K, WHICH SHOULD BE THE NORM. WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BEEN MISINFORMED BY LEXUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR LEXUS RESPONSIBILITY OF PUTTING THESE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES ON SUCH LUXURIOUS CARS AND MAKE THE CONSUMERS PAY FOR THE INFERIOR QUALITY. SINCE WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TIRE PERFORMANCE WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE RUNNING A 'HYBRID' CAR, THEN IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED LEXUS TO INSTALL A DIFFERENT SET OF TIRES. SOME OF US WOULD HAVE OPTED FOR A DIFFERENT CAR OR EVEN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT MAKE IF IT MEANS PAYING ABOUT $1000 FOR EVERY 20K WE DRIVE JUST ON TIRE REPLACEMENT. WE ARE ALSO EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED BY LEXUS' INACTION KNOWING SUCH WIDELY-DISCUSSED PROBLEM. LEXUS CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LUXURIOUS AS WELL AS RELIABLE. ANOTHER QUESTION IS, WHY WOULD THE TIRES BE ABNORMALLY WORN JUST ON THE INSIDE EDGE? *TR

05/17/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/16/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U760******
Summary

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE NYS THRUWAY. SHE PULLED OFF AT A REST AREA. SHE WAS FULLY STOPPED WAITING FOR A PARKING SPOT TO OPEN UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE OSCILLATING LEFT AND RIGHT IN SYNC WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A MINUTE SHE ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN. IT STARTED NORMALLY. AS SOON AS SHE TOUCHED THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SHAKING RESUMED. SHE TURNED IT OFF. BY PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, SOME PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO HELP HER WINCH THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO PUSH THE CAR INTO A SPACE WHERE IT STAYED UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. SOME BYSTANDERS ?!@#$%. *TR

10/01/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/31/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U860******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE LINK ASSEMBLY. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,327 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,516. UPDATED10/16/07. *JB

09/21/2007
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/08/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U060******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 RX400H, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND MY HEEL WENT THROUGH TWO CARPETS AND THE FLOOR BOARD. MY HEEL WAS STUCK IN A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD. I CAN NOW PLACE MY FINGER INTO A HOLE AND FEEL WIRES AND EMPTY SPACE UNDER THE GAS AND BREAK PATH. LEXUS HAS AGREED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A FEE. (50%) THE SALES MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT FLOOR BOARD HAS RIPPLES. (LIKE PEAKS AND VALLEYS). THERE ARE TWO HOLES LINED UP DIRECTLY UNDER EACH PEDAL. THE CONSEQUENCE: HEELS AND RIPPLES UNDER A FLOOR BOARD DON'T MIX.... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

06/26/2007
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 06/25/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

BRAKES FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN A WEEK. BRAKE FAILURE LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND THEN BRAKES RETURNED. DURING THAT TIME THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP AND A LOUD BUZZER WENT OFF. WAS ABLE TO STOP THE WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. FORTUNATELY NEITHER INCIDENT REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY STOP. *AK

01/31/2007
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 01/31/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U260******
Summary

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER RELEASE. INSTEAD THE SEAT BELTS FALL LOOSE OUT SIDE OF THE CAR AS DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PEOPLE MAY GET THEIR LEGS TANGLED IN THE HANGING OUT THE DOOR UNRETRACTED SEAT BELTS. THIS MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. ALSO THE UNRETRACTED SEAT BELTS MAY CAUSE THE DOOR TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, CAUSING FAILURE HERE ALSO. THE SEAT BELT METAL PORTION MAY ALSO SCRAPE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING PAINT AND FINISH DAMAGE. *NM

12/22/2006
Components: SUSPENSION,TIRES
Incident Date: 12/13/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U660******
Summary

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS 4-WHEEL ALIGNED FOLLOWING INITIAL DELIVERY & ALSO AT ~22K MILES BY THE DEALER. AT 22K MILES, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN SEVERELY INBOARD AND THE REAR HAS SOME OF THE SAME INDICATIONS (THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY ROTATED FROM THE FRONT). ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. *NM

10/02/2006
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/21/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

2006 LEXUS RX400H REVVED AND RACED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. *TS THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO HAVE A REP INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT MENTIONED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SIX WEEKS TO TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT COULD BE INSPECTED. NM

06/23/2006
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 06/23/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTEHT05J822******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET FOR 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED TO 72 MPH ON A DECLINE AND DECELERATE 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

05/21/2006
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/19/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJGW31U060******
Summary

PULL TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIME. *NM

04/25/2006
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 04/25/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GEAR DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN AN ICY ROAD. THERE ARE NO 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD GEARS. THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM HYDROPLANING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE AND FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. UPDATED 05/10/6. *JB

03/15/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/06/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U960******
Summary

THE VEHICLE SURGES AT A STEADY SPEED. I AM MOST AWARE OF THE SURGING AT 35-45 MILES PER HOUR. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE AND THE LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

02/21/2006
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/02/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJHW31U160******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS OCCURRED ON DRY ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

5 Recalls

for 2006 LEXUS RX400H
13/07/2006
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V253000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Campaign Number: 06V253000
Manufacture: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Summary

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60F AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LD. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

24/02/2011
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V112000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Campaign Number: 11V112000
Manufacture: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Summary

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Notes

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL BOA LEXUS SAFETY RECALL NO. BLC. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

29/06/2011
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V342000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Campaign Number: 11V342000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

09/11/2011
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Campaign Number: 11V539000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

04/09/2013
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 13V396000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
Summary

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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